Box Score

LAS VEGAS, N.M. — New Mexico Highlands (16-5 overall, 12-5 in league games) moved into third place in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference by defeating Fort Lewis (15-5, 11-5) 82-64 at the John A. Wilson Complex.

The Skyhawks, currently ranked No. 1 in the NCAA Division II Central Region, lost both games of two-day trek to New Mexico.

The Cowboys have beaten the Skyhawks three years in a row in Las Vegas. FLC's last win on the Wilson hardwood was a 69-55 triumph on Feb. 9, 2008.

Four Highlands players scored in double figures, led by Thomas Manzano's 17-point effort. Momcilo Latinovic added 14, while Ryan Gonzales and Chris Newsome scored 10 apiece.

Fort Lewis was led by DeAndre Lansdowne, who tallied 12 points to move within five of Tim Bieri (1,691 points, 2003-07) for FLC's career scoring lead.

Daniel Steffensen was the only other Skyhawk to score in double figures with 11.

A strong shooting effort helped the Cowboys build a 45-23 halftime lead. For the game, NMHU shot .509 from the field (28 of 55), .474 from three-point range (nine of 19) and .739 from the line (17 of 23).

Fort Lewis struggled from all areas, shooting just .426 from the field (23 of 54), .200 from three-point land (three of 15) and .577 from the charity stripe (15 of 26).

Highlands outrebounded Fort Lewis 41-27. Ledreece Smith led the way with 10 rebounds to complement a nine-point, three-block effort.

After hitting the road the past two weekends, the Skyhawks return to the friendly confines of Whalen Gymnasium for the next four games. FLC hosts Colorado State-Pueblo (9-10, 6-9) at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 11 and UC-Colorado Springs (6-13, 4-11) at 7:30 p.m. next Saturday.