Skyhawks Men's Basketball Game Day Notes - Feb. 17, 2015

February 20 - Skyhawks vs. #9 MSU Denver - 7:30 p.m.
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Live Stats
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February 21 - Skyhawks vs. Regis - 7:30 p.m.
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Live Stats
Video
 
About the Skyhawks
The Skyhawks suffered two losses this past weekend at home against Colorado State University-Pueblo (83-59) and UCCS (90-75).  The last time the Skyhawks lost back to back games at home was during the 1998-99 season.
 
The Skyhawks enter the weekend in sixth place in the RMAC, but are only two games out of third place.
 
As a team the Skyhawks are shooting a solid 35.8 percent from the three-point line. Morse is shooting 42.9 percent from the three-point line, good for nine in the RMAC, while his teammates Cade Kloster is shooting the three ball at 39.0 percent and Jared Smith at a 35.7 percent clip.
 
The Skyhawks are out-scoring their opponents by 4.8 points per game (seventh in the RMAC), and out-rebounding them by 3.7 rebounds per game (fourth in the RMAC).
 
Center Alex Herrera is third in the RMAC for scoring, averaging 23.8 points per game. He also leads the RMAC in rebounding, averaging 11.6 per game. Herrera leads the league in blocked shots (84), and is the only player in the RMAC to average a double-double.
 
Herrera ranks in the top 10 in NCAA Division II in free throw attempts (first, 278), free throws made (second, 184),  total blocks (first, 84), blocked shots per game (second, 3.50), double-doubles (second, 18), defensive rebounds per game (fifth, 8.5), total rebounds (fifth, 278), total points (seventh, 572), and rebounds per game (sixth, 11.6).
 
Along with Herrera's NCAA-leading 278 free throw attempts and 84 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 23.8 points per game are the third most in the RMAC, and his 11.6 rebounds per game are the most.  He has made more free throws (184) 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, Offense & Defense- Jan. 26).  In four years at FLC, Herrera has earned the RMAC Player of the Week award 14 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 Roadrunners
MSU Denver comes into Durango with an overall record of 21-3 and a Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference record of 16-2, best record in the RMAC. The Roadrunners are 7-2 on the road this season when playing conference games this season.  
 
The Roadrunners are on a nine game winning streak and have won 15 of their last 16 games.
 
MSU Denver leads the league in scoring margin, averaging 73.9 points per game of offense and holding their opponents to 59.6 ppg (+14.3 margin).
 
MSUD is led by Mitch McCarron who averages 21.5 points per game and also leads the team in assists with 100 and three pointers made with 41. Nicholas Kay is the Roadrunners big man and he brings down 6.7 rebounds per game and also leads the team in made free throws with 138 made buckets this season. Kay has a team high 34 steals this season as well. Will Sinclair rounds out the starting five for MSU Denver. He leads the team in blocks with 22.
 
All-Time Series vs. MSU Denver
The all-times series lead is held by MSU Denver which is 34-14 against Fort Lewis, including a 36-point victory earlier this season in Denver. The Roadrunners have won the past five matchups against the Skyhawks.  The last time FLC defeated MSU Denver was Feb. 22, 2013 at home.
 
About the Rangers
The Rangers are led by Brett Hartshorne who averages 12 points per game and also leads the team in free throws made with 55 so far this season. Dexter Sienko is the leading rebounder for Regis pulling down 7.3 boards per game. He also leads the team in blocks with 32. Kevin Marshall is the team's leading assist man with 67 dishes. Dylan King leads the team with 24 made three pointers.
 
Regis comes into this game with a RMAC record of 3-14 and an overall record of 5-16. The Rangers are 1-8 in road conference games this season.
 
All-Time Series vs. RU
The Skyhawks hold the lead in the all-time series 37-30 against the Rangers, including a win by Fort Lewis earlier this season in Denver 78-70 over Regis. The Skyhawks have won the past three games against the Rangers. Regis's last win in Durango was Feb. 23, 2013.