Box Score

GOLDEN, Colo. — No. 4 Colorado Mines (21-2 overall, 17-2 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) clinched a share of the RMAC regular season crown with a convincing 77-57 win over a shorthanded Fort Lewis squad tonight in Lockridge Arena.

The Skyhawks (12-11, 10-9) were without the services of their leading scorer and leading rebounder, Matt Morris, who was sidelined with a foot injury. The 6-foot-6 senior is averaging a double-double per game at 15.6 points and 10.6 rebounds per outing.

The taller Orediggers dominated the glass, outrebounding FLC by a 45-22 clip. Mines had 18 offensive boards, and the second chance points proved to be a key to the game as both teams shot 46 percent from the field. Fort Lewis collected just three offensive caroms.

Five Orediggers scored in double digits, led by Dale Minschwaner's 15 points and 11 rebounds. Brian Muller and Brett Green each scored 14, while Luke Meisch and Trevor Ritchie each had 11.

Matt Billups led FLC with 12 points, while Marcus Ayala and Torrey Udall each had 10.

Fort Lewis matched Mines basket-for-basket through much of the first half and led 21-20 with 7:07 remaining in the opening frame. Mines went on an 18-6 run to close the half and take control of the game, leading 38-27 at intermission.

The loss complicated FLC's playoff chances. The Skyhawks are tied with Western State and Chadron State for sixth place in the RMAC standings at 10-9, but are just one game ahead of ninth place Colorado State-Pueblo (9-10). The top eight teams qualify for the RMAC Shootout, which begins on Tuesday, Feb. 28 at the top four seeds.

Fort Lewis can improve its chances when it faces Colorado Christian (3-19, 2-16) at 7 p.m. tomorrow in Lakewood. The game is FLC's last regular season road contest.