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Fort Lewis College Athletics

Scoreboard

Jordan Vasquez 2.7
Bob Bonnar, FLC Athletics
FLC freshman Jordan Vasquez scored a career-high 22 points in Friday's loss to Colorado Christian (File photo).
72
Fort Lewis FLC 15-6,10-5 RMAC
74
Winner Colo. Christian CC 6-16,6-9 RMAC
Fort Lewis FLC
15-6,10-5 RMAC
72
Final
74
Colo. Christian CC
6-16,6-9 RMAC
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 OT 1 F
Fort Lewis FLC 16 16 16 14 10 72
Colo. Christian CC 12 17 17 16 12 74

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

Candelaria records first career double-double, but Skyhawks fall 74-72 on the road to CCU in overtime

LAKEWOOD, Colorado — The Fort Lewis College women's basketball team overcame late deficits in the fourth quarter and in overtime, but were on the wrong end of a buzzer-beater Friday evening in Lakewood, falling by a 74-72 final on the road to Colorado Christian University.

Fort Lewis (15-6 overall, 11-5 RMAC), which entered the night riding a four-game win streak, erased a four-point deficit in the final 42 seconds, receiving two clutch free throws from junior guard Sydney Candelaria, followed by a steal and ensuing layup by junior Jordan Carter to tie the game at 72-72 with eight seconds remaining.

Unfortunately for the Skyhawks, Colorado Christian (7-15 overall, 7-9 RMAC) had guard Marie Tsoungui spring free and cash in a layup just ahead of the final buzzer to pull off the upset.

"Credit to Colorado Christian. They got the last shot and took advantage with the buzzer-beater. We know what it's like to be on the winning side of a buzzer-beater, and now we know what it's like to be on the losing side," said FLC head coach, Orlando Griego, referencing the Skyhawks' overtime victory over Westminster last Saturday. "Our girls really fought hard, really pushed and put themselves in position to win the game. Unfortunately, we just weren't able to do that."

The Skyhawks were initially able to force overtime thanks to a driving layup finished by junior guard Katrina Chandler with 9.2 seconds remaining in regulation, and a blocked shot by Candelaria on CCU's Olivia Christy as time expired.

Candelaria, fresh off her game-winner against Westminster, continued her sensational play as she posted her first career double-double on Friday, finishing with 11 points, a career-high 10 rebounds and four steals to go with the pivotal blocked shot that helped force overtime.

"She's really stepping into the leadership role of being able to do just about anything we ask her to do," Griego said of Candelaria. "Whether that's defense, rebounding or scoring the ball. We're happy to have her and she's doing a nice job of helping lead our team."

Offensively, the Skyhawks were led by freshman Jordan Vasquez with 22 points and five rebounds on 9-of-13 shooting, giving the young forward back-to-back 20-point efforts.

Carter was the third FLC player in double-figures with 10 points, while Chandler added nine points and senior guard Kayla Herrera-Flores chipped in eight points.

Fort Lewis held a 32-29 lead at the half, a 48-46 advantage entering the fourth, and were up by six at 60-54 with 1:49 remaining before the Cougars made their surge back.

With the score 60-57, the Skyhawks were called for two consecutive loose ball fouls that led to four made free throws for CCU to regain the lead at 61-60.

Griego said it was a few situational errors such as those, and a handful of defensive lapses, that proved to be the difference Friday.

"We weren't always consistent on defense. We let their posts catch too easy and score the ball. And we were fouling," Griego said. "There were a couple possessions where we were up and we'd foul. When we're winning, we don't need to foul 94 feet from the basket and send them to the free-throw line with the clock stopped."

Fort Lewis will look to rebound Saturday with a matinee against Regis University, a team the Skyhawks beat 63-46 in the two teams' first meeting back on Jan. 25.

Tip-off is scheduled for 3 p.m. in Denver.

"I think we'll be able to bounce back and really focus on some small things that we need to correct to put ourselves in better position to win the game," Griego said. "Biggest thing is us staying together, staying positive and going out and competing at a high level."
 
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