CANYON, Texas – November 11, 2016 – After shooting a solid 51.7 percent (15-of-29) from the floor in the first half, including 70 percent from long range (7-of-10), the No. 15 Fort Lewis College men's basketball team was held to 33.3 percent field goal shooting in the second half at West Texas A&M University. The Buffs handed the Skyhawks a 90-82 season opening set back Friday Day at First United Bank Center in the LSC/RMAC Challenge.
"West Texas is a legit top-10 team," said head men's basketball coach
Bob Pietrack. "They withstood a lot of punches from us. I thought our guys were ready to play. The home court was a giant factor in this. We'll be ready to play tomorrow. We tip our hat to West Texas. They're a very good team."
FLC held a 45-36 lead at the half while the Buffs sank only 31.7 percent from the floor and a 29.4 percent mark from long range.
West Texas turned the game around in the second half, allowing the Skyhawks to make only 10-of-30 field goals and 3-of-8 from long range.
FLC was outscored in the second half, 54-37. West Texas came out of halftime with a 21-12 run that knotted the game at 57 all with 13:49 left in regulation.
Joshua Blaylock and
Rasmus Bach tied for game high honors with 21 points. Blaylock netted nine points from long range and made 8-of-10 from the charity stripe. He also added three steals and two assists.
Bach chipped in 6-of-10 from the floor including all three three-point attempts, and made 6-of-8 from the free throw line. He was one rebound away from a double-double. Bach and
Will Morse each dished out six assists.
Riley Farris came off the bench to score 15 points. He made 6-of-11 field goals and grabbed four rebounds.
The Skyhawks will face Eastern New Mexico University on Saturday at 6:30 p.m.
