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Fort Lewis College Athletics

Scoreboard

Alyssa Adams
Durango Family Photography
FLC junior guard Alyssa Adams scored 11 points and was 6-for-6 from the free-throw line in Tuesday's loss to Western Colorado (File Photo).
69
Fort Lewis FLC 0-2,0-2 RMAC
84
Winner Western Colo. WC 2-0,2-0 RMAC
Fort Lewis FLC
0-2,0-2 RMAC
69
Final
84
Western Colo. WC
2-0,2-0 RMAC
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Fort Lewis FLC 13 16 16 24 69
Western Colo. WC 21 25 14 24 84

Game Recap: Women's Basketball | | David Wilson, Assistant AD-Communications

Three-point shooting pivotal in Skyhawks' 84-69 road loss to Western Colorado

GUNNISON, Colorado — Long distance shooting played a pivotal role in Tuesday's RMAC showdown between the Fort Lewis College women's basketball team and Western Colorado University as the Mountaineers finished plus-18 from behind the arc in an 84-69 final.

Despite shooting a respectable 43.1% (25-of-58) for the game, the Skyhawks (0-2 overall, 0-2 RMAC) struggled from deep as they finished the evening 4-of-18 (22.2%) from 3-point distance.

"I thought we shot the ball pretty well, finishing over 40% from the field for the game. But the place we struggled the most was definitely the 3-point line," said FLC head women's basketball coach, Orlando Griego. "We also didn't share the ball as well as I'd have liked. We finished with four assists. We need to share the ball because we're at our best when we're sharing, when we're attacking and kicking out. We had some good looks, but unfortunately we couldn't get the ball to go down."

As for the Mountaineers (2-0 overall, 2-0 RMAC), picked No. 2 in the RMAC Coaches' Preseason poll, they shot 47.5% (28-of-59) from the field inside their friendly confines of Paul Wright Gymnasium, including 10-of-22 (45.5%) from beyond the 3-point arc.

WCU was hitting the 3-ball early and often, going 8-of-13 from deep in the first half to build a 46-29 lead at the break.

"Western was doing a good job, they have a really good point guard (Hannah Cooper) that was able to get shoulders downhill. Once she gets going downhill, she can attack the basket and is a smart passer," Griego said. "She was creating some problems with her penetration and sometimes we just weren't following through with our defensive assignments."

The Skyhawks were able to hang within striking distance behind a game-high 21 points from sophomore forward Jordan Vasquez, who added four rebounds and shot 9-of-15 from the floor in her abbreviated 28 minutes due to foul trouble.

Sophomore guard Alison Chanhthala added 10 points and three rebounds, while Alyssa Adams scored 11 points and was a spotless 6-for-6 from the free-throw line.

Adams drained a 3-pointer at the end of the third quarter to trim the deficit to 60-45 entering the fourth. The 11 points tied a career-high for the junior, who has worked her way back from a lower leg injury that limited her to 24 games the past two seasons.

"Alyssa is getting more comfortable and getting that game experience, which is really big for us," Griego said. "We love when Alyssa is on the court for us. She talks on defense, is a great leader and we know and trust that when she is out there that she is going to make plays. We're really happy to have her back."

The Skyhawks would inch back within 12 with 2:27 remaining following a quick 6-0 burst capped by a three-point play opportunity cashed in by senior guard Bailey Osmer, but had the rally fall shy as WCU closed the game on a 6-2 run to wrap up the 84-69 final.

Osmer finished the evening with nine points and a team-high four steals in her 25 minutes off the bench.

"Bailey was doing a really good job stepping into passing lanes and she can be deceptively athletic," Griego said. "She's able to get steals and push the ball. She had crucial steals in moments we needed them. And if some of our 3-pointers fall, it's potentially a different type of game."

Senior guard Katrina Chandler added nine points and three rebounds, while fellow senior Sydney Candelaria tallied four points to round out the Skyhawks scoring leaders.

Following a tough two-game slate to start the 2020-21 season against the Mountaineers and Black Hills State University last Saturday, the Skyhawks will look to bounce back on Saturday with a road clash against Colorado Christian University.

Fort Lewis split the season series against the Cougars last season, earning a 72-68 victory and home, while dropping a tight 74-72 out in Lakewood.

Tip-off on Saturday is scheduled for 3 p.m. inside the CCU Event Center.

"I strongly believe we're going to be just fine. I like our effort and a lot of the things we're doing right now. We've played against two really good teams so far and this only helps us," Griego said. "We'll pick up the rest of the week and look forward to playing CCU."
 
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