Box Score
PUEBLO, Colo. — For the first time in school history, the Fort Lewis College women's basketball team can call itself
Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Shootout champions.
The Skyhawks (28-2 overall), ranked No. 6 in the latest NCAA Division II rankings, defeated No. 10 Metro State (27-2) 65-57 today at the Colorado State Fair Events Center in Pueblo.
“It's kind of eluded us over the years,” sixth-year FLC head coach Mark Kellogg said of winning his first RMAC Shootout trophy. Despite winning RMAC regular season championships three years in a row from 2007-08 through 2009-10 with identical 18-1 records, the Skyhawks had never before cut down the nets in Pueblo.
Led by senior point guard
Abby Jackson (20 points) and junior center
Jenna Santistevan (who recorded her first collegiate double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds), Fort Lewis dominated the early moments of the game. Santistevan went 3-for-3 in the first four minutes, while Jackson scored seven of FLC's first 13 points.
Santistevan said confidence and preparation helped them come out of the gate quickly. “I was just excited to play,” she said. “I have a lot of confidence in our team. It's all about energy and being able to know what you're supposed to do.”
Kellogg said that when Metro State focused too much on stopping RMAC Player of the Year
Dana Schreibvogel, it created opportunities for others, Jackson in particular. “They keyed on Dana quite a bit and lost Abby.”
The Skyhawks went on a 9-0 run to stretch the lead to 25-14 before Metro State's Jasmine Cervantes ended the run with a mid-range jumper. After two Jackson free throws put the lead back to 11 at 27-16 with 6:05 left in the half, the Roadrunners went on a 9-0 run of their own to trim the margin to two.
The bank was open in the final 10 seconds of the half, with Jackson banking a three-pointer from the top of the key, while Metro's Emily Wood's desperation 30-footer at the buzzer caromed off the glass for three, making the score 30-28 at intermission.
The second half saw the Skyhawks take control again, thanks in large part to rebounding and defense. After being outrebounded 19-13 in the first half, the Skyhawks won the second half battle of the glass, 17-13.
Mary Rose Paiz matched Santistevan with 11 caroms.
Still, Metro State managed to tie the score at 30-30 1:48 into the second stanza on a Valencia jumper.
Backup point guard
Katerina Garcia spelled Jackson and, as she often does, immediately changed the pace and flow of the game. The Skyhawks scored three straight layups in a one-minute stretch, two from eventual RMAC Shootout Most Valuable Player Schreibvogel and one by Garcia herself.
Schreibvogel finished the game with 13 points. Garcia had seven points and four assists.
Metro State was led by Alyssa Benson (18 points) and Cassondra Bratton (10).
Schreibvogel was named Most Valuable Player of the RMAC Shootout and was joined on the all-tournament team by Jackson and Santistevan. Metro's Bratton and Cervantes and Colorado Christian's Stephanie Allen were also named to the All-RMAC Shootout squad.
With the victory, Fort Lewis earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Division II playoffs, which begin next Friday. The Skyhawks have now qualified for March Madness four years in a row and five times total. FLC advanced to the Sweet 16 in 2008-09 and the NCAA Division II championship game last season.
Today's win, coupled with a Wayne State (Neb.) loss to Winona State (Minn.) in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference semifinals, makes the Skyhawks strong favorites to host the NCAA Central Regionals for the second year in a row. The NCAA Division II selection show takes place at 7:30 p.m. (MST) tomorrow.
