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Fort Lewis College Athletics

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JaQuaylon Mays vs Western Colorado, Dec. 3, 2022
JoJo Lutz, Fort Lewis Athletic Communications
JaQuaylon "Q" Mays (10) floats a shot down the lane.

Men's Basketball Hayden Mangan, Athletic Communications Assistant

No. 15/18 Skyhawks slated to host Hardrockers, Yellow Jackets for a pair of critical games to close out 2022

DURANGO, Colo. – Following a tough loss on the road just before the holiday break the Fort Lewis College men's basketball team is ready to right the ship, hosting South Dakota Mines and No. 3/3 Black Hills State for a pair of Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference games at home in Whalen Gymnasium.
 
GAME INFORMATION
Friday, December 30
5:00 p.m.
Vs. South Dakota Mines
Whalen Gymnasium
Durango, CO
 
Saturday, December 31
5:30 p.m.
Vs. #3/3 Black Hills State
Whalen Gymnasium
Durango, CO
 
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Both games this weekend will be available for free on the RMAC Network featuring the Skyhawks own Bob Bonnar and Rick O'Block on play-by-play and color.
 
SCOUTING THE HARDROCKERS
South Dakota Mines is off to a 4-8 overall start to the season alongside a 3-3 RMAC record. The Hardrockers are in the same boat as the Skyhawks, searching for a win to bounce back after being dealt an 82-80 loss by New Mexico Highlands (5-7, 3-3 RMAC) just before the holiday break.
 
Friday night's game will mark the eighth meeting between the two programs. While Fort Lewis leads the series 4-3, the Hardrockers have won back-to-back contests and boast a 2-1 record inside Whalen Gymnasium. Additionally, South Dakota Mines has not lost in Durango, Colorado since Jan. 14, 2017.
 
The Hardrockers rank 14th in the RMAC in points per game (68.3) and 13th in points per game allowed (77.6). Commanding the floor for SDM is Brevin Walter. The six-foot-four redshirt sophomore guard is a strong tool on both ends of the floor averaging 21.9 points to pair with 5.3 rebounds per game. Alejandro Rama and Kolten Mortensen supply an additional 19.0 points and 14.7 points per game respectively to round out the double-digit scorers for South Dakota Mines.
 
SCOUTING THE #3/3 YELLOW JACKETS
Black Hills State continues to ride its best start in program history at 11-0 overall and 5-0 in conference play. After holding stagnant at No. 5/5 over the past few weeks, the Yellow Jackets have advanced to No. 3/3 in the latest National Association of Basketball Coaches and D2SIDA Media Top 25 Polls.
 
Spearheading the BHSU offense is none other than 2021-22 All-American Joel Scott. After guiding the Yellow Jackets to the final four just a season ago, the six-foot-seven forward continues to dominate opponents averaging a near-double-double with 22.2 points and 9.5 rebounds per game.
 
Owning the third highest-scoring offense in the RMAC at 82.0 points per game, Black Hills State's biggest weapon is on the defensive side of the ball. The Yellow Jackets lead the RMAC allowing just 65.5 points per game, a mark that ranks 42nd in the country. While the Black Hills State defense may limit opponents' scoring opportunities, they are the only team in the conference allowing opponents to average single-digit turnovers at 9.3 per game.
 
LAST TIME OUT
The Skyhawks are looking to avenge a tough loss to Westminster (3-9, 2-3 RMAC) just before the holiday break. Fort Lewis traveled to Salt Lake City, Utah for a lone matchup with the Griffins falling 93-79. Westminster dominated the field, outshooting the Skyhawks 56 percent to 43 percent from the floor and 58 percent to 35 percent from the three-point line. JaQuaylon Mays led all scorers with 24 points, but five individuals scored in double-figures for the Griffins to complete the upset.
 
SKYHAWKS LEADERS
Akuel Kot continues to dominate the floor offensively averaging a nation-leading 27.0 points per game. Kot's offensive efforts have helped Fort Lewis average 89.4 points per game: the ninth highest-scoring offense in the country. Leading the Skyhawks off the glass is Sekou Dembele averaging 5.1 rebounds per game. Mays, a recent transfer from Missouri Western, has created a major impact on Fort Lewis' system as he leads the roster in both assists (33) and steals (18).
 
NEW YEAR
The Skyhawks will welcome the 2023 year with a pair of RMAC matchups at home in Whalen Gymnasium. Fort Lewis will host the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs on Friday, Jan. 6, at 7:30 p.m. followed by Regis on Saturday, Jan. 7, at 7:00 p.m.
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Players Mentioned

Akuel Kot

#22 Akuel Kot

G
6' 2"
Junior
JaQuaylon Mays

#10 JaQuaylon Mays

G
6' 1"
Senior
Sekou Dembele

#21 Sekou Dembele

C
6' 7"
Junior

Players Mentioned

Akuel Kot

#22 Akuel Kot

6' 2"
Junior
G
JaQuaylon Mays

#10 JaQuaylon Mays

6' 1"
Senior
G
Sekou Dembele

#21 Sekou Dembele

6' 7"
Junior
C