Skyhawks Men's Basketball Game Day Notes - Dec. 29, 2014

January 2 - Skyhawks at Chadron State - 7:30 p.m.
Audio
Live Stats
Video

January 3 - Skyhawks at Black Hills State - 6 p.m.
Audio
Live Stats
Video

About the Skyhawks
Fort Lewis has used the same five starters in all 11 games this season: Alex Herrera, Rasmus Bach, Cade Kloster, Jared Smith and Will Morse.
 
Bach (42.1), Morse (47.2), Smith (42.4) and Kloster (44.3) are all shooting better than 40 percent from three-point range.  The foursome's long range shooting skills rank the Skyhawks fourth overall in 3-point field goal percentage (38.0).
 
The Skyhawks are out-scoring their opponents by 7.9 points per game (sixth in the RMAC), and out-rebounding them by 5.0 rebounds per game (third in the RMAC).
 
Fort Lewis' 85.7 points per game through the first 11 games this season is the fourth most in the league.  They are also netting the fourth best free throw shooting percentage, 73.4 percent (245-334).  The Skyhawks are second in the league in blocked shots (5.0 per game) and third in assists (17.7 per game). 
 
Austin Haldorson came off the bench against Western State to score a career high 10 points.  Six of his points came from long range.  He ranks third in the RMAC in free throw percentage with 87.0 percent (20-23).
 
DJ Robinson saw his first action of the season against Western State.  Robinson, who played wide receiver for the Skyhawks this past fall, played five minutes against the Mountaineers.
 
Senior center Alex Herrera ranks in the top 10 in NCAA Division II in free throw attempts (first, 124), total blocks (first, 42) double-doubles (second, 9),  free throws made (fourth, 87), blocked shots per game (fifth, 3.4), defensive rebounds per game (fourth, 8.7), total rebounds (sixth, 124), and rebounds per game (eighth, 11.3).
 
Along with Herrera's NCAA-leading 124 free throw attempts and 42 blocked shots, he also leads the conference in defensive rebounds per game, double-doubles, rebounds per game, and total rebounds.
 
Herrera is the only player in the RMAC to average a double-double.  His 21.5 points per game are the third most in the RMAC, and his 11.3 rebounds per game are the most.  He has made more free throws (87) than any player from Chadron State or Black Hills State has attempted.
 
Herrera has been named the RMAC Player of the Week this season three times (Defensive-Nov. 17, Offensive. 24, and Defensive-Dec. 1).  In four years at FLC, Herrera has earned the RMAC Player of the Week award 12 times.
 
The Skyhawks hit the century mark in three consecutive wins against Texas-Permian Basin (101-97), Northern New Mexico (105-92) and Eastern New Mexico (104-72).  FLC has scored at least 100 points in three straight games two other times in program history: 1995-96 and 1990-91.
 
Herrera became the all-time blocked shots leader at Fort Lewis on Friday, Nov. 14 against St. Mary's.  Herrera broke Rich Hillyer's career block record of 208.
 
Fort Lewis started the 2014-15 season winning their first five games.  The last time the Skyhawks started their season 5-0 was 2012-13.  Fort Lewis has also started their season 5-0 in 2010-11 and 2009-10, including a 6-0 start in 1997-78 under head coach Chuck Walker.
 
The Skyhawks men's team earned 133 points and are picked fourth in the RMAC preseason poll.  For the second year in a row, Alex Herrera has been tabbed the RMAC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year. 
 
About the Eagles
Chadron State has a new home for basketball this season.  The Eagles play in the Chicoine Center which opened this past November.
 
The Eagles are second in the league in field goal percent defense (41.4), second in 3-point field goal percent defense (32.9), second in rebounding offense (37.8),  fourth in scoring defense (68.0) and ninth in scoring margin (-6.6).
 
They have played their last four games on the road and are currently on a four game losing streak.  The Eagles are 3-7 overall, 2-4 in the league, and 3-1 at home.
 
Two Eagles are averaging double figures: Kendrick Holliman (14.5 points) and Christopher Smith (10.0 points).  Holliman also leads the team in rebounds (5.5), made 3-point field goals (33.3), and made free throws (35).
 
The Series vs. Chadron State
Fort Lewis holds an 18-9 series advantage over the Eagles.  The Skyhawks have won eight straight games against the Eagles, and the last four at CSC.  The last time the Skyhawks fell at Chadron State was in 2006.
 
About the Yellowjackets
Black Hills State is coming off of a double overtime win at Regis University on Dec. 20.  The win snapped a four game losing streak for the YellowJackets.  BHSU returns home after playing their last four games on the road.  They are 4-8 overall, 2-4 in league games and 3-1 at home.  Four of the YellowJackets games have gone into overtime this season; they have won three of those games.
 
BHSU is being out-scored by 8.4 points per game.  They are averaging 63.4 points per game and allowing 71.8 points per game.  The Skyhawks are averaging 85.7 points per game.
 
Myles Henry leads BHSU with 9.8 points per game.  Riley Ryan comes off the bench to pull down a team high 4.7 rebounds per game and added a team high 14 steals.  Brady Bisgaard, who is one of three YellowJackets to start all 12 games, has dished out a team high 34 assists and made a team high 16 3-point field goals.
 
The Series vs. Black Hills State
Saturday's meeting at Black Hills State will be the third ever between the two teams.  The Skyhawks have won both games against BHSU.  The YellowJackets joined the RMAC in 2012-13.