Box score
GUNNISON, Colo. — Western State Colorado (11-14 overall, 10-11 in the
Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) led from wire to wire and defeated No. 17 Fort Lewis (18-6, 15-6) 80-69 Friday night in Paul Wright Gym.
The Mountaineers raced to leads of 10-0 and 16-2 in the first seven minutes to take control of the game early. WSCU led 41-28 at halftime.
With Western State up 53-42 with 11:36 left in the second stanza, the Skyhawks went on an 8-0 run to pull within three with 9:36 remaining. A
Nick Tomsick three-pointer, second-chance baskets by
Marcus Ayala and
Torrey Udall and a Udall free throw factored into the rally.
But the Mountaineers responded after a timeout and quickly stretched the lead back up to double digits within three minutes. The Skyhawks would never get closer than six points down the stretch.
Western State dominated nearly every facet of the game. The Mountaineers shot 48.3 percent (29-of-60) from the field while holding the Skyhawks to 38.1 percent (24-of-63). They outrebounded FLC 41-37. And they shot significantly better from the charity stripe.
Jordan Adams scored 21 points to lead WSCU, shooting 8-of-11 from the field. Charles Joseph and Joseph Charles each chipped in 16, with Joseph grabbing 11 boards for a double-double. Steve Aldridge added 10.
Tomsick led all scorers with 22 and sank four three-pointers.
Marcus Ayala, who made 7-of-8 free throws, scored 18.
Alex Herrera added 14.
The loss, coupled with Adams State's 75-68 win at Colorado Mesa, moved the Skyhawks and the Grizzlies (18-7, 15-6) into a tie for second in the RMAC standings. The Mavs (17-8, 14-7) – who host Fort Lewis at 7:30 p.m. Saturday – are just a game behind. All three teams are assured a home playoff game on Tuesday night in the opening round of the RMAC Shootout.
But the second- and third-place finishers will play in the opposite half of the bracket as Metro State (23-2, 19-2), the nation's third-ranked team and RMAC regular season champs.
The Skyhawks control their own destiny and can clinch a top three seed by beating the Mavs on Saturday.
Western State, on the other hand, kept its playoff hopes alive. The Mountaineers are now tied with New Mexico Highlands with 10-11 league marks for the seventh and eighth spots in the eight-team RMAC Shootout, which begins Tuesday. Colorado Christian and Western New Mexico are just a game behind at 9-12.
The Mountaineers host Adams State at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in Paul Wright Gym.
