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Kayla Herrera
Max DeHerrera/Sports Fanatic Photography

Women's Basketball Brian Kortz

Women’s Basketball Travels up the Road to Face Colorado Mesa, Western Colorado

GRAND JUNCTION/GUNNISON, Colo. – Having faced both Colorado Mesa and Western Colorado roughly a month ago, the Fort Lewis College women's basketball team will play their final regular season road games this week when they play at #22 Colorado Mesa on Friday and Western Colorado on Saturday with both games set for a 5:30 p.m. tip.
 
The teams last faced each other Jan. 18-19 when both Western Colorado and Colorado Mesa held on for close victories as the Mountaineers took the 64-54 victory and the Mavericks added a 61-52 victory.
 
It was a big home weekend this past week for the Skyhawks as FLC improved to 11-14 overall and 7-12 in RMAC play after picking up wins against Westminster (62-53) and Dixie State (82-75). In the win against Westminster, Alyssa Yocky went for a double-double with 17 points and 14 rebounds, starting her week on the way to being named the RMAC Defensive Player of the Week. Kayla Herrera added 10 points, Sydney Candelaria with nine and Aubre Fortner chipped in eight. Five scored in double-figures to lead FLC to the win against Dixie State as Jordan Carter tallied 21 points. Candelaria added 18, Yocky had another double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds, Fortner collected 12 and Herrera rounded out the group with 10 points.
 
Some upcoming or recently set milestones include Yocky who eclipsed 900 career points this past weekend and is now at 910. She's 18th in program history and is just 20 points from 17th. Yocky is also at 120 career steals, 13 from breaking into the top-20 and with her 44 blocked shots, she is tied for 16th in program history and is just six away from landing in the top-15. Her 724 rebounds fourth in program history, leaving her just 17 away from being in the top-three. Yocky's 322 career field goals is 22nd in program history, leaving her just eight away from the top-20. Her 53 three-pointers is currently 21st in program history and she is seven away from 20th. Her 185 free throws are 14th in program history and is just two away from 13th. Herrera's 87 three-pointers is 13th in program history and leaves her 27 from the top-10. Her 415 rebounds put her three away from being in the top-23 in program history. Her 321 field goals are tied for 22nd in program history, leaving her just nine away from the top-20. Herrera's 219 assists are 16th in program history and her 148 steals is 16th in program history and she is just one away from landing in the top-15. Herrera is quickly approaching 900 career points, currently at 886, putting her 21st in program history. Carter is closing in on 400 career points, currently at 390. She also just went over 150 career assists, sitting at 158 and is approaching 175 field goals, currently at 174. Kaitlyn Romero recently went over 250 career points and is at 270. She's eight field goals away from 100 in her career (92) and just went over 50 career three-pointers, currently at 52. Candelaria recently went over 300 career points, currently at 328 and also went over 100 field goals, currently at 111 and recently went over 50 steals, sitting at 60. Kelsey Wainright recently hit 75 field goals, currently at 77 and is just over 200 career points at 212. Tanisha Begay went over 100 career points recently and is at 101. Fortner is pushing towards 150 points in her first year at FLC, sitting at 141. She's also just went over 50 field goals sitting at 54 and just broke 75 rebounds, currently at 78. Hanna Valencia eclipsed 100 career points this past weekend and is at 104. Head Coach Jason Flores is four wins away from 125 in his career, currently 121-74.
 
FLC enters the week averaging 66 points and allowing 60 points, making 41 percent from the field and allowing a 38 percent clip. Yocky leads the way at 11.3 points per game and 8.6 rebounds, along with 57 assists, 50 steals and 13 blocks while shooting 50 percent. Herrera is at 10.8 points and 5.1 rebounds along with 80 assists, 45 steals and seven blocks while making 33 three-pointers. Candelaria is at 10.4 points per game, grabbing 3.4 rebounds, 43 assists, 39 steals, three blocks and is shooting 40 percent from the field. Carter rounds out the four in double-figures at 10.2 points and 4.4 rebounds, she also has 21 assists, 17 steals, 11 blocks and is shooting 48 percent. Fortner tallies 5.6 points and Valencia adds 4.2 points.
 
As a team, FLC ranks in the top-five in the RMAC and top-100 nationally in several categories including fifth in the RMAC in assists (327), 94th nationally in fewest turnovers (361), third in the RMAC and 63rd nationally in field goal percentage defense (37.5), fifth in the RMAC in offensive rebounds per game (11), fourth in the RMAC in both rebounds (934) and rebounds per game (37.36), 47th nationally in scoring defense (59.5), fourth in the RMAC and 89th nationally in scoring margin (6.0), first in the RMAC and 54th nationally in steals (233), second in the RMAC and 67th nationally in steals per game (9.3), first in the RMAC and 39th nationally in three point field goal defense (28.3), second in the RMAC and 42nd nationally in turnover margin (3.28), first in the RMAC and 87th nationally in turnovers forced (17.72) and fourth in the RMAC and 62nd nationally in turnovers per game (14.4).
 
Individually, Herrera is sixth in the RMAC in assists (80), seventh in assists per game (3.2), eighth in steals (45), and ninth in steals per game (1.80). Yocky is first in the RMAC and 65th nationally in defensive rebounds per game (6), second in the RMAC and 63rd nationally in rebounds (215), third in the RMAC and 83rd nationally in rebounds per game (8.6) and fifth in the RMAC in both steals (50) and steals per game (2.0). Carter is ninth in the RMAC in field goals made (118).
 
First up, FLC will face #22 Colorado Mesa and currently second-seed in the South Central Regional rankings. The Mavericks were ranked 23rd last time the teams faced on Jan. 19 Valencia had a breakout game with 14 points, while Carter added 12. The Skyhawks nearly pulled off the upset, holding a lead in the fourth quarter before Colorado Mesa rallied for the 61-52 victory.
 
Colorado Mesa is 20-3 overall and 17-2 in RMAC play, currently tied with Westminster for the top spot in the conference. The Mavericks are 10-0 at home this season. Colorado Mesa was undefeated in RMAC play all the way up until falling at Westminster, 57-61, on Feb. 8. Their other loss in RMAC play came this past Friday at Colorado Christian (55-61).
 
The Mavericks average 64 points and allow 52 points per game while making 41 percent from the field and allowing a 36 percent clip. Jaylyn Duran continues to lead the way averaging 19.3 points per game, while Kylyn Rigsby is at 9.0 points. Karina Brandon (7.6) and Sydni Brandon (6.6) are next on the list.
 
FLC will close the week at Western Colorado on Saturday. Last time the teams played back on Jan. 18, Yocky led the way with 14 points, Fortner tallied nine and Candelaria added eight. The Skyhawks made a push in the fourth quarter to get to within five before the Mountaineers claimed the 64-54 victory.
 
The Mountaineers are 15-8 overall and 11-8 in RMAC play, currently holding a 4-5 record at home. Western Colorado is ranked 10th in the latest South Central Region Poll. The Mountaineers split this past weekend losing to Regis (45-49) before winning at Colorado Christian (61-54).
 
Western Colorado averages 61 points and allows 56 points, making 41 percent from the field and allowing a 38 percent clip. Samantha Coleman leads the way at 11.7 points, while Tammarrah Gothard (8.7) and Chandler Willis (8.0) are next on the list.
 
A look around the RMAC has Colorado Mesa and Westminster tied for first at 17-2, Colorado School of Mines is third at 13-6, CSU-Pueblo, MSU Denver and UC-Colorado Springs are all tied for fourth at 12-7, Western Colorado is seventh at 11-8 and both Black Hills State and Colorado Christian are tied for the eighth and final tournament spot at 10-9. Closely behind is Dixie State and Regis, currently tied for 10th with 9-10 records. Fort Lewis is 12th at 7-12, South Dakota Mines is 13th at 6-13, Chadron State is 14th at 3-16 and then New Mexico Highlands and Adams State are tied for 15th at 2-17.
 
Live video and stats will be available for both games. Up next after this weekend, FLC will conclude the regular season with Senior Night on Friday (Mar. 1) against Adams State starting at 5:30 p.m. inside Whalen Gym.
 
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Players Mentioned

Tanisha Begay

#23 Tanisha Begay

G
5' 8"
Sophomore
Sydney Candelaria

#24 Sydney Candelaria

G
5' 8"
Sophomore
Jordan Carter

#32 Jordan Carter

F
6' 1"
Sophomore
Kayla Herrera-Flores

#13 Kayla Herrera-Flores

G
5' 9"
Junior
Kaitlyn Romero

#14 Kaitlyn Romero

G
5' 8"
Junior
Hanna Valencia

#30 Hanna Valencia

G
5' 10"
Redshirt Freshman
Kelsey Wainright

#25 Kelsey Wainright

F
5' 11"
Senior
Alyssa Yocky

#31 Alyssa Yocky

F
6' 0"
Senior
Aubre Fortner

#1 Aubre Fortner

F
5' 11"
Junior

Players Mentioned

Tanisha Begay

#23 Tanisha Begay

5' 8"
Sophomore
G
Sydney Candelaria

#24 Sydney Candelaria

5' 8"
Sophomore
G
Jordan Carter

#32 Jordan Carter

6' 1"
Sophomore
F
Kayla Herrera-Flores

#13 Kayla Herrera-Flores

5' 9"
Junior
G
Kaitlyn Romero

#14 Kaitlyn Romero

5' 8"
Junior
G
Hanna Valencia

#30 Hanna Valencia

5' 10"
Redshirt Freshman
G
Kelsey Wainright

#25 Kelsey Wainright

5' 11"
Senior
F
Alyssa Yocky

#31 Alyssa Yocky

6' 0"
Senior
F
Aubre Fortner

#1 Aubre Fortner

5' 11"
Junior
F