Box score
Watch FLC's post-game press conference
DURANGO, Colo. — Defense and rebounding were the keys to Fort Lewis' (15-8 overall, 14-5 in the
Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) 64-48 win over Metro State (17-7, 15-4) tonight in Whalen Gymnasium.
“I'm probably most proud of our defensive effort,” said first-year FLC head coach
Jason Flores. “I think we made things pretty tough for them and didn't give them a lot of good looks. They're a really good team and to hold them to 23 percent shooting for the game, that's a great effort.”
The Roadrunners shot just 23.4 percent from the field (15-of-64) and 6.7 percent from behind the arc (1-of-15).
“I thought we battled on the boards,” Flores said of his team, which won the rebounding battle 48-44. “Overall, that's really what led us — defense and rebounding.”
Erika Richards had 11 rebounds — eight on the defensive end — to lead the Skyhawks.
Four of FLC's starters scored in double figures, including
Katerina Garcia (15 points),
Alex Easterbrook,
Christie Groh and
Ashley Kuchar (12 points each).
“They made it tough for us offensively as well, but we were able to put up 64 points,” said Flores. “We didn't shoot it great. I thought we had a lot of good looks from three. Going 2-for-17 (from three-point range) … that's not something that we're normally going to do, but it's just one of those games. Our defense carried us through.”
The Skyhawks shot 34.5 percent from the field (20-of-58) and 11.8 percent from behind the arc (2-of-17).
Both teams did a remarkable job of protecting the ball. The Skyhawks had a season-low eight turnovers, while Metro State committed just nine. Each team had 11 assists.
While the two teams went cold from the field, they both shot over 80 percent from the line. The Skyhawks made 84.6 percent of their charity shots (22-of-26), while the Roadrunners shot 81 percent from the charity stripe (17-of-21).
Emily Wood led the Roadrunners with 11 points, six rebounds and three assists. Kristin Valencia notched a double-double with 10 points and a game-high 14 rebounds.
“Obviously, it's another great win for us,” said Flores. “After last weekend, we wanted to have good performances again this week. I felt good about practice all week leading up to this game. We'll enjoy this one for a night and then turn around for another really talented team coming in tomorrow. We're going to have to focus and play another great game to get another win.”
Flores said the atmosphere in Whalen Gym was outstanding. More than 1,500 fans packed the stands for the women's game and the crowd grew for the men's contest between the No. 17 Skyhawks and the No. 1 Roadrunners. The FLC men upset Metro State 61-54 to notch their first-ever win over a No. 1-ranked team.
“It was a big night for the Skyhawks,” said Flores. I'm happy for our players and for the men's program. That was a really huge win for them.”
The win vaulted FLC into sole possession of fourth place in the RMAC standings. No. 4 Colorado Mesa (22-1, 18-1) has clinched a share of the regular season title and has all but clinched home court advantage throughout the league playoffs. Metro State and UC-Colorado Springs (15-8, 14-5) are tied for second. Fort Lewis pulled a full game ahead of Colorado State-Pueblo (16-7, 13-6) — it's likely foe in the first round of the RMAC Shootout, which begins on Tuesday, March 5 on the home courts of the four top seeds.
The Skyhawks host Regis (10-13, 9-10) at 5:30 p.m. tomorrow night. The game marks the final regular season home game for senior guards Easterbrook and Garcia, who will be honored in a pregame ceremony.
Fort Lewis previously defeated Regis 83-58 in the Regis Fieldhouse on Jan. 18.
Tomorrow also marks Hall of Fame day for the Skyhawks. Fort Lewis College President Emeritus Joel M. Jones, women's basketball alumna Barbara Culmer (1986-90) and men's soccer alumnus Curt Slaughter (1997-2001) will be inducted at 10 a.m. tomorrow at the Henry Strater Theatre. The trio and other Hall of Famers in attendance will be honored at halftime of the men's game.
