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Akuel Kot vs. CCU 2021-22
[Chris Neal/Shooter Imaging]
Akuel Kot (22) against Colorado Christian.

Men's Basketball Hayden Mangan, Athletic Communications Assistant

Men’s Basketball begins 2022-23 campaign at RMAC/Lone Star Conference challenge

DURANGO, Colo. – After 255 long-awaited days, the Fort Lewis College men's basketball team is back on the hardwood at the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference-Lone Star Conference Challenge hosted by New Mexico Highlands University. The Skyhawks will take on LSC opponents Eastern New Mexico University and (RV) Angelo State University.
 
GAME INFORMATION
Friday, November 11
2:00 p.m. MDT
Vs. Eastern New Mexico
John A. Wilson Complex
Las Vegas, N.M.
 
Saturday, November 12
12:00 p.m. MDT
Vs. Angelo State
John A. Wilson Complex
Las Vegas, N.M.
 
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Live Stream: Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Network
Play-by-play: Jace Hinton
 
RMAC/LSC CHALLENGE
Fort Lewis will make the trip to the RMAC/LSC Challenge for the second-straight season and the fifth time since 2016-17. Since 2016-17 the Skyhawks are 6-4 against Lone Star opponents. Fort Lewis is 4-1 and riding a three-game win streak over Eastern New Mexico after scores of 96-92 (2021-22), 90-85 (2019-20), and 82-74 (2018-19) in the challenge. In the lone contest between the Skyhawks and Rams last season, Angelo State felled Fort Lewis 98-87.
 
"This weekend will be an exciting challenge for us," Fort Lewis College Head Coach Bob Pietrack said. "Eastern N.M. and Angelo each have extremely talented rosters; they're well-coached and have a history of success in the Lone Star. These early season games are always highly competitive and play a vital role in regional standings."
 
SERIES VS EASTERN NEW MEXICO
The Skyhawks are 13-8 all-time against the Greyhounds and 8-1 since 2010. The lone victory for ENMU came in 2017-18 in the RMAC/LSC Challenge by a score of 73-72. Neutral sites seem to hold no advantage for either side, as the Skyhawks lead the series just 3-2 in five total contests.
 
SCOUTING EASTERN NEW MEXICO
The Greyhounds already have one contest under its belt, an exhibition match against Division I Grand Canyon University. Eastern New Mexico walked away with a 71-43 loss, however, they found defensive success in forcing the Lopes into twenty turnovers on the night.
 
Greg Johnson was the Greyhounds leading scorer on the night, tallying 12 points shooting 4-11 from the floor, 1-6 from beyond the arc, and a perfect 3-3 at the free throw line. Malique Oates and Eze Dike each added eight more points, while ENMU was out-rebounded 45-23.
 
SERIES VS ANGELO STATE
The Rams lead the all-time series against the Skyhawks 3-2, featuring a two-game winning streak after defeating Fort Lewis 98-87 last season. While each program owns just a single win at home, ASU owns the neutral site advantage with a 2-1 record.

SCOUTING ANGELO STATE
Prior to Saturday's matchup, the Rams will take on host school New Mexico Highlands for its season opener. Angelo State returns seven players from last season's roster that finished 20-10 overall and qualified for the NCAA South Central Regional. Additionally, like the Skyhawks, the Rams were featured on the NABC Division II Top 25 Preseason Poll listed as receiving votes. 
 
The Rams have added a plethora of new talent via the transfer portal, including four Division I players. Most notable among the returners for Angelo State is the top returning scorer from last season, Devaughn Thomas. Thomas, a six-foot-seven guard, averaged 9.3 points per game alongside 5.0 rebounds while shooting just a hair over 40% from the floor.
 
PLAYERS TO WATCH
With the departure of Riley Farris, Fort Lewis' all-time leading scorer, it will be up to Akuel Kot to fill his shoes on the offensive glass. Kot averaged 16.6 points per game last season, shooting 47% from the floor, 42% from the three-point line, and 85% at the free-throw line en route to his First Team All-RMAC nod. Kot also scored 42 points last season at Colorado State University-Pueblo, the second-highest single-game point total in program history.
 
Another impact player returning for the Skyhawks is center/forward Brenden Boatwright. Averaging 11.5 points and 5.7 boards last season, Boatwright is the go-to big man for Fort Lewis in the post. The senior garnered honorable mention honors from the conference last season and will play a vital role in the Skyhawks offensive scheme.
 
LOOKING AHEAD
Next week Fort Lewis opens its season at home playing host to a pair of home games and the Skyhawks Hardwood Classic on Nov. 18-19. Northern New Mexico will head to Durango, Colo., for the annual Nike N7 Games on the 18th. The University of Texas Permian Basin will also partake in the classic, and both the Falcons and Eagles will take on Adams State University in a pair of neutral site contests.
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Players Mentioned

Brenden Boatwright

#33 Brenden Boatwright

F/C
6' 9"
Senior
Akuel Kot

#22 Akuel Kot

G
6' 2"
Junior

Players Mentioned

Brenden Boatwright

#33 Brenden Boatwright

6' 9"
Senior
F/C
Akuel Kot

#22 Akuel Kot

6' 2"
Junior
G