Box Score DURANGO, Colo. – Erika Richards netted 25 points to lead the Fort Lewis College women's basketball team to a 78-76 overtime win over St. Edward's University Friday night at Whalen Gymnasium.  The loss marked the first of the season for the Hilltoppers as they move to 7-1 on the season.  Fort Lewis finishes their non-conference season with a 3-1 record.
 
The Skyhawks took a six point lead, 9-3, early in the first half after Richards made a layup at 16:49.  The remainder of the half featured six score ties and six lead changes.  Fort Lewis committed 10 turnovers in the first half and netted 12-of-29 field goals.
 
"We had to adjust to what we were doing offensively after the first half," said Fort Lewis College head women's basketball coach Jason Flores.  "Turnovers were really hurting us.  We had a lot of really bad unforced turnovers which prevented us from getting momentum in the game.  We started off strong with a decent lead but then we tried to push harder and we forced some shots that didn't fall.  A lot of credit to St. Edward's.  They battled and they're a good team.  It's a great win for us to have all of those unforced turnovers and play into some slumps and then be able to win the game."
 
In the second half, Fort Lewis trailed by at least six points on six different occasions.  They went on a 6-0 run to tie the game at 62-62 with 3:36 left in regulation after Christie Groh found Ashley Kuchar for two points in the paint.  Michelle Turner gave FLC a three point lead, 67-64 with only 28 ticks remaining in regulation, but the Hilltoppers' Peri Ewin knotted the game with her own three to send the game into overtime.
 
Richard's was perfect in the overtime period, netting all four of her field goal attempts.  With the game tied for the 11^th time on the night, Richards hit a jumper with 30 second left to seal the win for the Skyhawks. As a team, the Skyhawks made 5-of-7 field goals, including 1-of-2 three-pointers. 
 
"Erika came along well for us," said Flores.  "She started to get hot and we had sets to try to get some things where she could make a play.  She and Christie were the most solid for us tonight."
 
Groh netted 5of-7 field goals and 8-of-10 from the free throw line as part of her 19 points.  She added eight rebounds, two assists and a blocked shot.  Mary Brinton came off the bench to record a double-double.  She netted 4-of-5 field goals, 2-of-3 free throws and pulled down 10 rebounds while blocking three shots.
 
The Skyhawks netted 27-of-63 field goals for 42.9 percent, 5-of-16 three-point field goals for 31.3 percent, and 19-of-24 free throws for 79.2 percent.  Fort Lewis, which committed 21 turnovers, totaled 17 assists and four blocked shots. 
 
St. Edward's sank 35.1 percent from the floor (26-of-74).  Mileka Loydrake notched 21 points and three assists, and Maddie Wheeler added 20 points and four assists. 
 
The Skyhawks will open their conference season Dec. 6-7 at home against UC-Colorado Springs and CSU-Pueblo.  Tipoff is slated for 5:30 p.m.