DURANGO, Colo. – February 20, 2015 – For the second time this season, the Fort Lewis College men's basketball team played host to the ninth ranked team in Division II, and for the second time, the Skyhawks were victorious in the upset bid.  Fort Lewis defeated No. 9 MSU Denver Friday night in Whalen Gymnasium, 68-64.  The Skyhawks also recorded an 83-77 home win over then ninth-ranked Colorado School of Mines on Jan. 24.
 
The win improves the Skyhawks to 18-7 overall and 13-6 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.  MSU Denver falls to 21-4 overall and 16-3 in league games. 
 
Fort Lewis trailed the Roadrunners at halftime, 34-28, and by as many as 11 points (53-42) with 10:06 left in regulation.  Alex Herrera would score nine of the Skyhawks next 10 points as FLC went on a 10-0 run to cut the lead down to 53-52.  He added a layup at 4:55 to give the Skyhawks a 54-53 lead they would not relinquish.
 
The Roadrunners' Will Sinclair hit a three-point to knot the game, 56-56with 2:29 left in regulation.  Jared Smith hit one of his two from behind the arc and Rasmus Bach made four straight free throws to give the Skyhawks a 63-58 lead with 41 ticks left. The Skyhawks closed the game making 5-of-6 free throws to seal the win.
 
The last time Fort Lewis defeated MSU Denver was Feb. 22, 2013 in Whalen Gymnasium.  At the time, the Roadrunners were undefeated and ranked No. 1 in the nation.
 
Herrera led both teams with 20 points and 12 rebounds.  He dished out three assists, blocked two shots and added one steal.  Cade Kloster made 6-of-10 field goals and 4-of-7 free throws for 17points.  Will Morse came off the bench to add 10 points, nine of which came from long range.  Bach added 10 points and made all eight free throw attempts.
 
The Skyhawks shot 47.6 percent from the floor (20-of-42) and 21-of-29 free throws (72.4 percent).
 
Fort Lewis will face Regis University Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. in their final regular season home game.