PUEBLO, Colo. – The Fort Lewis College men's basketball team led nearly the entire game at Colorado State University-Pueblo Saturday night, as they earned their first Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference win of the season, 76-70.
The win improves the Skyhawks to 6-2 overall and 1-1 in league games. The Pack moves to 4-3 overall and 1-1 in the RMAC.
"This was an enormous road win for us tonight, especially considering it being the back end of a very difficult road trip," said Fort Lewis College associate head coach
Bob Pietrack. "This is as difficult as a road trip as there is in the RMAC considering the quality of teams. It was a huge program win – we needed everybody for this win tonight. We're really proud of the team and looking forward to playing next Saturday against Adams State."
Colorado State-Pueblo made the first basket of the game before
Alex Herrera quickly tied it up, 2-2.
Rasmus Bach then hit his first bucket of the night to give FLC a 4-2 lead they would not relinquish.
Four Skyhawks scored in double figures. Fort Lewis was led by Herrera's 22 points. Ten of his 22 points came from the charity stripe where he sank 10-of-16. He added seven rebounds, one blocked shot and one steal.
Rasmus Bach added 18 points, sinking 5-of-11 from the floor and 7-of-8 from the free throw line. He added a game high five assists. All 12 of
Jared Smith's points came from long range. Smith made 4-of-5 field goals, all of which were attempted from behind the three-point line. He also dished out two assists and pulled down seven rebounds.
Will Morse chipped in 11 points on 4-of-7 field goals and four assists.
The Skyhawks held a 39-27 rebounding advantage (+12). They netted 50 percent from the floor (24-48), 46.7 percent from long range (7-of-15) and 21-of-33 free throws. Fort Lewis committed 14 fouls compared to the Pack's 27. FLC attempted 33 free throws to CSU-Pueblo's 14.
Jed Knaflec led the home team with 16 points.
Fort Lewis will play host to Adams State University Saturday afternoon at Whalen Gymnasium at 3 p.m.
