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Otas Iyekekpolor
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Men's Basketball Brian Kortz

Men’s Basketball Gets Set for New Year’s Eve Battle With Northern New Mexico

DURANGO, Colo. – Following the holiday break, the Fort Lewis College men's basketball team will return to action on New Year's Eve when they host Northern New Mexico for the second time this season starting at 3 p.m. inside Whalen Gym.

FLC (5-5) played a pair of tough games last time out falling in overtime to both South Dakota Mines (76-67) and Black Hills State (70-66) most recently on Dec. 16. The Skyhawks looked to be in good shape against the Yellow Jackets jumping out to a 33-21 halftime lead before Black Hills State fought back to force overtime and take the victory. Alex Semadeni did all he could to lead the way for the Skyhawks with 21 points, seven rebounds, two blocks, two assists and a steal in 42 minutes. Marquel Beasley and AJ Sparks also reached double-figures with 12 points apiece.

During the last meeting against Northern New Mexico on Nov. 14 in Durango FLC cruised to the 83-60 victory. The Skyhawks built a 34-16 halftime lead and then tallied 49 more points in the second half to take the win. Beasley led the way with 18 points, while Otas Iyekekpolor added 15 points and Riley Farris chipped in 14. Semadeni just missed a double-double with nine points and nine rebounds. FLC shot 48 percent (29-60) from the field and made 22 free throws. The Skyhawks forced 19 turnovers and held the Eagles to a 36 percent shooting clip, including a 17 percent effort from three.

FLC is averaging 72 points and allowing 72 points while making 40 percent from the field and allowing a 45 percent clip. Two starters have started all 10 games this season in Beasley and Semadeni. Beasley leads the team in scoring at 17.1 points per game and in steals with 14, while adding nine blocks, 14 assists, 5.6 rebounds and is shooting 52 percent from the floor (59-114). He's also shown his versatility hitting 11 three-pointers. Semadeni is at 11.2 points per game and leads the team in rebounding at 6.6 per contest. He averages 34 minutes per game and has also added a team-high 34 assists, 10 steals and three blocks, while sinking seven three-pointers. Iyekekpolor adds 8.6 points and 6.4 rebounds, along with a team-high 20 blocks, three steals, six assists and is shooting 48 percent (31-64) from the field. AJ Sparks adds 7.6 points per game and Keven Biggs adds 6.0 points and is tied for the team lead in three-pointers at 11.

FLC ranks high in the RMAC and nationally in several categories including second in the RMAC and 37th nationally in blocked shots per game (4.2), fifth in the RMAC and 76th nationally in free throws made (171), fifth in the RMAC in offensive rebounds per game (10.50), fifth in the RMAC in scoring defense (71.9), second in the RMAC and 21st nationally in three point field goal defense (29.6), third in the RMAC and 57th nationally in total blocks (42), second in the RMAC and 55th nationally in turnover margin (2.9) and second in the RMAC and 36th nationally in turnovers forced (17.10).

Individually, Semadeni is third in the RMAC in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.79), eighth in the RMAC in minutes per game (33:57), ninth in the RMAC in free throw percentage (81.8) and 10th in the RMAC in assists per game (3.4). Iyekekpolor is first in the RMAC and 24th nationally in blocked shots per game (2.0), first in the RMAC and 26th nationally in total blocks (20) and sixth in the RMAC in offensive rebounds per game (2.40). Beasley is seventh in the RMAC in field goal percentage (51.8), seventh in the RMAC in points per game (17.1), eighth in the RMAC in free throws made (42) and ninth in the RMAC in total points (171).

Northern New Mexico is 7-13 overall on the season and have lost three straight against Haskell Indian Nations, UC-Colorado Springs and most recently on Dec. 19 against New Mexico Highlands. The Eagles average 85 points and allow 88 points, while making 44 percent from the field and allowing a 47 percent clip. Solomon leads the team in scoring at 15.8 per game, followed by 14.3 by Richard and 11.2 from Simmons.

Live video and stats will be available for the game.
 
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Players Mentioned

Marquel Beasley

#15 Marquel Beasley

PF
6' 5"
Senior
Riley Farris

#42 Riley Farris

F
6' 9"
Junior
Alex Semadeni

#2 Alex Semadeni

G
6' 5"
Senior
Keven Biggs

#3 Keven Biggs

G
6' 4"
Junior
Otas Iyekekpolor

#13 Otas Iyekekpolor

F
6' 8"
Senior
AJ Sparks

#24 AJ Sparks

G
5' 10"
Junior

Players Mentioned

Marquel Beasley

#15 Marquel Beasley

6' 5"
Senior
PF
Riley Farris

#42 Riley Farris

6' 9"
Junior
F
Alex Semadeni

#2 Alex Semadeni

6' 5"
Senior
G
Keven Biggs

#3 Keven Biggs

6' 4"
Junior
G
Otas Iyekekpolor

#13 Otas Iyekekpolor

6' 8"
Senior
F
AJ Sparks

#24 AJ Sparks

5' 10"
Junior
G