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Fort Lewis College Athletics

Scoreboard

Akuel Kot 11.13
David Wilson, FLC Athletics
FLC sophomore Akuel Kot had 10 points in Saturday's 96-92 victory over Eastern New Mexico.
96
Winner Fort Lewis FLC 1-0,0-0 RMAC
92
Eastern N.M. EastNM 0-1,0-0 Lone Star
Winner
Fort Lewis FLC
1-0,0-0 RMAC
96
Final
92
Eastern N.M. EastNM
0-1,0-0 Lone Star
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Fort Lewis FLC 46 50 96
Eastern N.M. EastNM 40 52 92

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

Five Skyhawks score in double-figures, team grinds out a 96-92 win over Eastern New Mexico

ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico — The Fort Lewis College men's basketball team opened its 2021-22 season in thrilling fashion, fighting off a gritty Eastern New Mexico University squad to claim a 96-92 victory at University of New Mexico's historic "The Pit" in Albuquerque.

"I thought that was a tremendous college basketball game between two teams that are experienced, strong and physical," said FLC head men's basketball coach, Bob Pietrack. "I thought it was a great Lonestar-RMAC game and we're very happy to come out on the right side of it."

Fort Lewis (1-0 overall) had five players finish in double-figures, led by two-time First Team All RMAC forward Riley Farris with 31 points, to tip off its first of two games at the RMAC-Lonestar Conference Challenge.

Farris scored 12 of his 16 first-half points over the final 10 minutes to help FLC carry a 36-30 lead into the break. The senior showed tremendous efficiency, shooting 9-of-12 (75%) from the field, 10-for-11 (91%) from the free-throw line and 3-of-4 (75%) from 3-point range. Farris added seven rebounds and three blocks, defensively, to put on a bow on his dominating performance.

"Riley needs no introduction to our fans and teams across the region. I think people know who he is and that he is a special talent. Scoring 31 points in 31 minutes just shows how great of an offensive player he is," Pietrack said. "Just as important as his offensive production, he has really improved as a defensive player. I thought he had a lot of key blocks and key rebounds for us down the stretch."

The Skyhawks put together a convincing performance as they led for 33:34 of game action while shooting an even 50 percent (31-of-62) from the floor and committing just 12 turnovers against an athletic and pressing Greyhounds team.

FLC led by as many as nine points on two occasions, but Eastern New Mexico did not go away quietly. The Greyhounds strung together an 8-0 run to take its first lead of the second half at 79-78 with 4:24 remaining.

The two teams continued to trade baskets until the 1:03 mark when senior guard Will Wittman made the defensive play of the game for the Skyhawks, rotation over from the weakside to block a would-be tying layup. FLC controlled the defensive rebound and scored the next trip down to go up two possessions, closing out the game with free throws over the final 60 seconds.

"That was probably the play of the game," Pietrack said of Wittman, who poured in 16 points and five rebounds to go with his game-saving block. "That's a senior who came back this year and is extremely hungry for success."

Fellow senior Corey Seng tallied 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting, adding three rebounds — including a key offensive rebound on a missed free throw in the final 90 seconds — and two steals in his 23 minutes.

"Corey is kind of the unsung hero of our team. He doesn't get a ton of recognition and can go unnoticed sometimes, but he isn't unnoticed by his teammates. He does all the things you need a senior to do," Pietrack said. "Those plays at the end; he has a real nose for the ball and he's a winning player."

Senior transfer JacQuess Hobbs also shined in his first game as a Skyhawk after coming in from Eastern Kentucky, scoring 13 points, picking off two steals and dishing out a team-high six assists.

"There's that old line, "As advertised," and JacQuess has been as advertised," Pietrack said of the point guard. "He's a leader, he played tough, made the right plays and was a great defender for us (Saturday).

Sophomore guard Akuel Kot was the fifth FLC player in double-figures with 10 points, shaking off a tough shooting day from the field to hit four clutch free throws to ice the game in the final minute.

Redshirt junior forward Brenden Boatwright, limited to 17 minutes due to foul trouble, chipped in seven points and six rebounds, as well, to help lead the FLC offense.

Fort Lewis will look to build off Saturday's performance when it concludes the RMAC-Lonestar Conference Challenge with an 11 a.m. matinee against a loaded Angelo State University team.

"Angelo State is as talented as any team we will play all year. We've got to be at our very best Sunday," Pietrack said. "We're confident in our team and our approach. We just have to keep moving forward, keep improving because tomorrow is a new game and you never know what it holds."
 
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