Box Score

PHOENIX, ARIZ. — Rebounding was the key to the Fort Lewis College men's basketball tam's victory Friday, but it didn't help them enough Saturday in defeat.

Fort Lewis (2-2), in its second game of the Grand Canyon Thanksgiving Classic in Phoenix, lost to tournament host Grand Canyon 81-66, as the Antelopes' outside attack outmatched the Skyhawks on the boards and in the net.

“They're a very good team … It was a good measuring stick for us, so we know we've got to get a lot better,” FLC head coach Bob Hofman said. “And we know we can.”

The 'Lopes (3-1) knocked down a greater percentage of shots — 50 percent to FLC's 41 percent — and pulled down more rebounds — 36 to 29.

“We didn't box out as well as we needed to in the second half,” Hofman said.

The Skyhawks put some pressure on Grand Canyon, forcing 18 turnovers and coming up with 11 steals, but they couldn't stop 'Lopes guards Nick Witherill, who had a team-high 20 points, or Kyle Speed, who had 19 points and a team-high five rebounds.

The Skyhawks' front court tried to make up the deficit, as center Matt Morris again led the team in both points (13) and rebounds (seven), and forward Torrey Udall matched him with 13 points.

“I thought we really competed,” Hofman said. “We guarded really hard … The main thing for us right now is we've got to become a smarter team … Everyone has got to know what their role is and play to their strengths.”

Fort Lewis opens Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play at 7:30 p.m. Friday against UC-Colorado Springs (1-5) in Whalen Gymnasium. The following night, FLC hosts Colorado State-Pueblo (3-1) at 7:30 p.m.

Additional contribution to this story by Fort Lewis College Assistant Director of Athletics Chris Aaland.