Box Score

DURANGO, Colo. — The seventh-ranked Fort Lewis women's basketball team (18-2, 15-1 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) opened up a 20-0 lead en route to a 96-56 win over New Mexico Highlands (11-10, 7-10) tonight in Whalen Gymnasium.

“It was almost the difference to the game right from the very beginning,” said seventh-year FLC head coach Mark Kellogg, whose team didn't allow the Cowgirls to score in the first 7:28.

“Another really solid, all-around game … We were really active defensively, which obviously led to some easy offense,” said Kellogg.

The Skyhawks finished with 22 steals — 17 in the first half — which helped them take a 55-21 lead into intermission.

“We passed the ball around again, really spread the ball,” said Kellogg. Five Skyhawks scored in double figures, led by Erika Richards' 14 points off the bench. Richards was a perfect 5-of-5 from the field and made her only three-point attempt.

Jamie Simmons added 13 off the bench in what Kellogg called her “most active game of the year.” Jenna Santistevan added 13 points, while Stephanie Beeman scored 11 and Dana Schreibvogel had 10.

“We're shooting it pretty well, too, right now. We're shooting really confidently,” he added. “Just some good stuff all the way around.”

Fort Lewis shot a lights-out 65.6 percent in the first half and finished the game at 56.7 percent (34 of 60).

Junior point guard Katerina Garcia had another solid game for the Skyhawks with seven of the team's 28 assists. Alex Easterbrook and Richards each logged four helpers.

Highlands' Alyssa Lopez led all scorers with 15 points and added five steals, but offset that with 11 turnovers. China Smith scored 13 points off the bench.

The Cowgirls struggled from the field at 29.6 percent — particularly in the first half when they made only six baskets.

Highlands did own a slight, 37-35 rebounding advantage.

Fort Lewis sported white jerseys with pink trim tonight in its annual Play 4Kay game. Teaming with Alpine Bank again this year, the Skyhawks raised money for the Journey of Hope Fund that provides free mammograms to women in the community who may not otherwise be able to afford them.

New Mexico Highlands wore dark pink jerseys.

Tonight's win, coupled with No. 3 Metro State's 80-64 loss to Colorado Christian, moved Fort Lewis into sole possession of first place in the RMAC. The Roadrunners (18-2 overall) and Colorado State-Pueblo (17-3) each have 14-2 marks in league play.

“I'm happy with the whole week,” Kellogg said. “Hopefully we gained some momentum from the weekend. Now we'll take the show on the road. Obviously, we'll take it one game at a time. We're in a good spot right now, but we've got to get better. I like where we're headed.”

With three weeks remaining in the league schedule, Fort Lewis hits the road for its next four. The Skyhawks travel to CSU-Pueblo at 5:30 p.m. Friday and to UC-Colorado Springs (10-11, 6-10) at 5:30 p.m. Saturday.