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AJ Sparks
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Men's Basketball Brian Kortz

Men’s Basketball Looks to Carry Momentum From OT Win Into Weekend Games Against Mountain Lions, Orediggers

DURANGO, Colo. – Following one of the most incredible wins of the season, the Fort Lewis College men's basketball team will look to keep the momentum going when they begin a four-game homestand starting this weekend against UC-Colorado Springs on Friday and Colorado School of Mines on Saturday. Both games will start at 7:30 p.m. inside Whalen Gym.

The Skyhawks (7-6, 2-5 RMAC) recovered from a tough 77-67 loss against MSU Denver by picking up a much-needed 100-88 overtime win against Chadron State. What made it even more incredible was the way FLC grabbed the win as senior Alex Semadeni hit not one, not two, but three straight three-pointers to send the game into overtime. It was part of a special night for Semadeni as he went for a career-high 37 points.

FLC is 4-2 at home this season, but 0-2 in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play after dropping a pair of tough overtime games to both South Dakota Mines and Black Hills State right before the holiday break. The Skyhawks have already played four overtimes this season, with each of them coming in RMAC play.

As a team, the Skyhawks average 76 points and allow 74 points, making 42 percent from the field and allowing 45 percent. Marquel Beasley continues to lead the way at 17.4 points, while bringing down 6.1 rebounds, 17 assists, 17 steals and 10 blocks and is shooting 52 percent (80-153) from the field this season. Semadeni jumped to 12.5 points per game after his big night against Chadron State. He also pulls down 6.2 rebounds, 44 assists, 13 steals and three blocks, while shooting 42 percent from the floor and has made 14 three-pointers. Otas Iyekekpolor averages 9.2 points and 6.1 rebounds, while sending back 22 blocks, six steals and 13 assists. He's shooting 51 percent from the field. AJ Sparks chips in 8.1 points per game and Keven Biggs is at 6.2 points per game. The offense has been cooking as of late with FLC putting together their top two scoring games in the past three games, going for 100 points against both Northern New Mexico and this past Saturday versus Chadron State.

Upcoming milestone scoring marks include Semadeni, who is now quickly approaching 700 career points, currently sitting at 662 after his 37-point game. His 37-point game left him just six short of tying the program record of 43 set back in 1994 by Jon Cremers. Beasley is also on his way to 700 career points at FLC, in just his second year since transferring, the senior is at 668 points. Head Coach Bob Pietrack is 13 wins away from 100 career victories, currently 87-24 overall.

In terms of RMAC and national rankings, FLC is fifth in the RMAC in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.05), fifth in the RMAC in assists per game (14.5), fourth in the RMAC and 83rd nationally in blocked shots per game (3.5), first in the RMAC and 32nd nationally in free throws made (229), fifth in the RMAC in offensive rebounds per game (10.69), fourth in the RMAC in steals per game (6.9), second in the RMAC and 47th nationally in three point field goal defense (31.3), third in the RMAC and 79th nationally in total blocks (46), fifth in the RMAC in total rebounds (468), fifth in the RMAC in total steals (90), second in the RMAC and 49th nationally in turnover margin (3.0), second in the RMAC and 39th nationally in turnovers forced (16.77) and fifth in the RMAC in turnovers per game (13.8).

Individually, Semadeni is fourth in the RMAC in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.76), fifth in the RMAC in minutes per game (33:25), ninth in the RMAC in assists per game (3.4) and 10th in the RMAC in total assists (44). Iyekekpolor continues to lead the RMAC in blocked shots per game (1.69), 41st nationally and in total blocked shots (22), 35th nationally. Beasley is fourth in the RMAC in total field goals made (80), sixth in the RMAC in total points (226), seventh in the RMAC in points per game (17.4), seventh in the RMAC in free throws made (53) and eighth in the RMAC in field goal percentage (52.3).

FLC will open the week on Friday night against UC-Colorado Springs. The Mountain Lions, winners of six straight, are 8-5 overall and 5-2 in RMAC play. They have gone 2-3 away from home in true road contests. This past weekend they defeated Dixie State at the buzzer (77-74) and then downed Westminster (82-74) with both games taking place in Colorado Springs.

The teams played once last year in Durango and the Skyhawks took the 85-76 victory. Beasley had a big game going for 33 points and 10 rebounds. Rasmus Bach added 13 and DJ Miles chipped in 10. During the 2016-17 season, the teams played in Colorado Springs and FLC claimed the 83-79 victory. That same season, the teams opened the RMAC Tournament against each other in Durango and FLC came out on top, 92-85. FLC has won the past four meetings in the series, as the last UCCS win came in 2015 as the Mountain Lions won in Durango, 90-75. At that time, UCCS had won three straight in the series until FLC began their current streak with a 90-84 win during the 2016 season.

UCCS is averaging 82 points and allowing 79 points, making 47 percent from the field and allowing a 46 percent clip. The Mountain Lions have six players averaging in double-figures, although Elijah Ross at 10.3 per game has only played six games this season. Blend Avdili leads the team at 14.4 points per game, followed by Padiet Wang's 12.6 points per contest. Avdili and Wang were each named the RMAC Players of the Week on Jan. 7. Brandon Malone adds 11.0 points, DaRaun Clark is at 10.6 and Dalton Walker tallies 10.1.

To close the week, the Skyhawks will face Colorado School of Mines on Saturday night. The Orediggers are also red-hot at 10-3 overall and 7-0 in RMAC play, currently the only undefeated team in the league and winners of nine straight games. Colorado School of Mines is 4-2 away from home in true road contests this season and are currently receiving votes in the latest NABC National Poll. 

This past weekend they rolled to victories against Westminster (86-58) and Dixie State (93-75). The last loss came on Nov. 18 on the road at Nebraska-Kearney (60-67). The Orediggers are currently tied for fifth in the latest D2SIDA South Central Region Poll. Colorado School of Mines averages 84 points and allows 70 points, making 50 percent from the field, compared to 44 percent for opponents. The starting five has been the same all season in Mason Baker, Ben Sonnefeld, Ben Clare, Brendan Sullivan and Michael Glen. All five also average in double-figures in scoring led by Baker and Sonnefeld as both are at 14.4 per game. Clare adds 11.3, Sullivan is at 11.0 and Glen chips in 10.5.

Last year, the teams played in Golden and the Orediggers claimed the 79-68 victory. Daniel Hernandez led the way with 21 points, while Miles added 15. During the 2016-17 season, the teams played three times, with two going into overtime. Colorado School of Mines won the first meeting during the regular season in Durango, 94-82. Then in Golden for the RMAC Tournament Championship game, 102-98 and finally again in Golden in the NCAA Tournament, the Orediggers took that matchup, 86-76. Colorado School of Mines has won the past four meetings in the series.

A look around the RMAC has Colorado School of Mines in sole possession of first place at 7-0 in league play. Black Hills State is second at 6-1. Colorado Mesa, New Mexico Highlands, Regis and UC-Colorado Springs are all tied for third with 5-2 records. MSU Denver, Chadron State and Adams State are tied for seventh with 4-3 marks. South Dakota Mines is 10th at 3-4, while Westminster, Fort Lewis, Dixie State and CSU-Pueblo are all tied for 11th at 2-5 and then Western Colorado and Colorado Christian are tied for 15th with 0-7 records.
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Players Mentioned

Rasmus Bach

#12 Rasmus Bach

G
6' 4"
Senior
Daniel Hernandez

#23 Daniel Hernandez

G
5' 8"
Senior
DJ Miles

#13 DJ Miles

G
6' 4"
Senior
Marquel Beasley

#15 Marquel Beasley

PF
6' 5"
Senior
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

Rasmus Bach

#12 Rasmus Bach

6' 4"
Senior
G
Daniel Hernandez

#23 Daniel Hernandez

5' 8"
Senior
G
DJ Miles

#13 DJ Miles

6' 4"
Senior
G
Marquel Beasley

#15 Marquel Beasley

6' 5"
Senior
PF
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