Box Score

SILVER CITY, N.M. — On paper, it didn't look like much of a matchup. In truth, tonight's game was all that it was advertised as No. 6 Fort Lewis dispatched winless Western New Mexico 94-48 at Drag's Court.

The Skyhawks (12-0 overall, 9-0 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) made 62.5 percent of their shots — fifth best field goal shooting in a single game in school history – by going 32-of-56 from the field.

“It was a good game for us,” said seventh-year FLC head coach Mark Kellogg. “We played as close to 40 minutes as we have all year. We shot it great, rebounded the heck out of it, and defended pretty well.”

Erika Richards came off the bench to lead the way with 16 points. Mary Rose Paiz added 14, while Jenna Santistevan and Dana Schreibvogel each scored 12.

Fort Lewis also found its stroke from three-point range, making six treys and shooting 41.2 percent from behind the arc. Richards and Ashley Kuchar each sank a pair of threes, while Paiz, Stephanie Beeman, and Alex Easterbrook each connected from downtown.

The Skyhawk defense limited WNMU to 32.7 percent shooting from the field (17-of-52) and 26.7 percent from behind the arc (4-of-15). Fort Lewis blocked 10 shots – third most in school history — led by Santistevan's five rejections. FLC also logged 11 steals and forced 22 turnovers.

Heather Hamilton and Morgan Wohltman each scored 10 points for the Mustangs (0-13, 0-10).

Fort Lewis dominated the glass, outrebounding WNMU 42-19. Santistevan had 10 rebounds for FLC, including eight offensive caroms.

The 6-foot senior also led FLC with five assists and went 6-of-8 from the field.

Fort Lewis was able to rest a junior point guard Katerina Garcia, who is nursing a leg injury.

FLC's two freshman — Kaile Magazzeni and Erin Curry — saw the most action yet in their young collegiate careers. Magazzeni scored a career-high six points in 11 minutes of work, while Curry dished off three assists in 13 minutes of action.

“I'm happy for those guys to get in,” said Kellogg. “They played pretty well.”

With the win, Fort Lewis surged into first place in the RMAC regular season standings. No. 2 Metro State (12-1, 8-1) was upset 67-59 tonight at unheralded Colorado Christian (6-9, 4-5).

The Skyhawks, who themselves lost at Colorado Christian just one year ago, get to face the Cougars at 5:30 p.m. Friday in Whalen Gymnasium. Next weekend's slate also includes a 5:30 p.m. showdown with Colorado Mines (5-10, 4-5) a week from tonight.