Skyhawks Men's Basketball Game Day Notes - Jan. 5, 2015

January 9 - Home vs. New Mexico Highlands - 7:30 p.m.
Audio
Live Stats
Video

January 10 - Home vs. Western New Mexico - 7:30 p.m.
Audio
Live Stats
Video

About the Skyhawks
The Skyhawks opened the New Year with two road wins against Chadron State (W, 93-76) and Black Hills State (75-63), extending their winning streak to three games.
 
Cade Kloster was near perfect in both road wins.  Against the Eagles, he made 4-of-6 field goals and 3-of-5 three-point field goals.  The next night at BHSU, he made 6-of-7 from the floor and all three 3-point field goal attempts.
 
Fort Lewis has used the same five starters in all 13 games this season: Alex Herrera, Rasmus Bach, Cade Kloster, Jared Smith and Will Morse.
 
Bach (40.9), Morse (46.5), Smith (40.5) and Kloster (47.8) are all shooting better than 40 percent from three-point range.  The foursome's long range shooting skills rank the Skyhawks fifth overall in 3-point field goal percentage (38.4).
 
The Skyhawks are out-scoring their opponents by 8.9 points per game (sixth in the RMAC), and out-rebounding them by 5.4 rebounds per game (third in the RMAC).
 
Fort Lewis' 85.5 points per game through 13 games this season is the fourth most in the league.  They are also netting the fourth best free throw shooting percentage, 72.6 percent (284-391).  The Skyhawks are second in the league in blocked shots (5.1 per game) and third in assists (17.8 per game). 
 
Senior center Alex Herrera ranks in the top 10 in NCAA Division II in free throw attempts (first, 147), total blocks (first, 52) double-doubles (second, 10),  free throws made (second, 99), blocked shots per game (first, 4.00), defensive rebounds per game (sixth, 8.8), total rebounds (fifth, 145), total points (seventh, 291), and rebounds per game (eighth, 11.2).
 
Along with Herrera's NCAA-leading 147 free throw attempts and 52 blocked shots, he also leads the conference in blocked shots per game, 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 22.4 points per game are the third most in the RMAC, and his 11.2 rebounds per game are the most.  He has made more free throws (99) than any player from New Mexico Highlands or Western New Mexico has attempted.
 
Herrera has been named the RMAC Player of the Week this season three times (Defensive-Nov. 17, Offensive. 24, 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 COWBOYS
The Cowboys are under the direction of first year head coach Craig Snow.  New Mexico Highlands enters the weekend 1-10 overall and 1-7 in the RMAC.  Their lone win this season came at Western State.
 
NMHU ranks last in the league scoring defense (82.4 points allowed per game), 13th in scoring margin (-16.4) and 11th in scoring offense (66.0 points per game).
 
Kendrick Nichols (17.5 points per game) and Jonathon Mines (14.9 points per game) are ranked eighth and 12th, receptively, in the RMAC in scoring.  Nichols has made 28 three-point field goals (fifth most in the RMAC) and Mines has netted 19 (13th most).  Teammate Kaylen Shane is eighth in rebounds with 6.5 points per game, and 12th in blocked shots (nine total).
 
The Series vs. New Mexico Highlands
The Skyhawks lead the all-time series against New Mexico Highlands, 54-39.  Fort Lewis is currently on a five-game winning streak against the Cowboys.  FLC is 30-12 against NMHU at home.  The Skyhawks have won the last four games at Whalen Gymnasium, and 14 of the last 16 games at home.
 
About the MUSTANGS
Western New Mexico is coming off their first win of the season, a 73-66 road win against Regis University.  Against the Rangers, the Mustangs recorded season highs in made field goals (30), field goal percentage (56.6), and steals. WNMU enters the weekend 1-11 overall and 1-7 in the RMAC.
 
The Mustangs have the lowest scoring output in the league at 60.1 points per game.  Through 12 games this season, they are being out-scored by an average of 20.3 points per game.
 
Two Mustangs are averaging at least 10 points per game - Marcos Castrillo (11.0 ppg) and Terrez Scott (10.8 ppg).  Castrillo and Scott are the only two seniors on the Mustangs roster.
 
After missing the first two games of the season, Scott leads the league in steals (2.1 per game) and is third in assists (4.9 per game). 
 
The Series vs. Western New Mexico
Western New Mexico owns a slight 43-42 series advantage over the Skyhawks.  However, the Skyhawks have won four of the past five meetings, and are 22-9 at home against the Mustangs.