Box Score
GUNNISON, Colo. — Jamie Simmons came off the bench to score a game-high 25 points and grab 12 rebounds as No. 6 Fort Lewis (8-1 overall, 5-0 in the
Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) cruised to an 86-62 win over Western State (6-6, 5-1) tonight at Paul Wright Gym.
“It was a really good win for us. It's the best we've probably played collectively as a group this year,” said seventh-year FLC head coach Mark Kellogg.
Simmons, a former All-American at West Texas A&M, went 12-of-18 from the field as the Skyhawks closed their pre-holiday schedule with a perfect slate in league play.
“Obviously, Jamie had her coming out party as a Skyhawk,” said Kellogg. “She was so active on the offensive boards and she's just a difficult matchup (for opponents to defend).”
Bolstered by Simmons, the Skyhawk bench outscored the Mountaineer reserves 45-9.
“Definitely, our bench was a little bit better,” said Kellogg. “I think our depth really showed.”
Dana Schreibvogel added 17 points for FLC, while
Mary Rose Paiz chipped in a double-double with 11 points and 12 boards.
“Mary Rose was really active again,” said Kellogg. “Dana kept it going, too. She's hitting her stride offensively.”
Nikki Trujillo led the Mountaineers with 20 points and five assists. Brooke Pendergraft added 13 points, while Krista Cone scored 11 in a losing effort.
Fort Lewis carried a 41-30 lead into the locker room at intermission, but saw the Mountaineers start the second stanza on an 8-0 run to trim the lead to 41-38.
Simmons and Schreibvogel took control of the game during the next 10 minutes, though, as the Skyhawks went on a 32-7 run to build their biggest lead at 73-45 with 6:42 remaining. The closest WSC would come down the stretch was a 23-point deficit.
The Skyhawks shot a blistering 62.1 percent from the floor in the second half, making 19 of 28 field goal attempts.
One area in which FLC improved from last night's win at Colorado Mesa was turnovers: the Skyhawks committed a season-low 12 tonight.
Fort Lewis won't play again until Friday, Dec. 30, when they host Chadron State (1-8, 1-4) at 5:30 p.m. in Whalen Gymnasium. The Skyhawks also host Nebraska-Kearney (1-9, 1-4) at 4 p.m. on New Year's Eve.
“We're right where we need to be at the break,” said Kellogg.
