Fort Lewis FLC 9-0,3-0 RMAC

N.M. Highlands NMH 3-6,1-2 RMAC

Fort Lewis FLC

9-0,3-0 RMAC

Final

Dec. 09, 2022

N.M. Highlands NMH

3-6,1-2 RMAC

Score By Periods
Team	1	2	F
Fort Lewis FLC	34	49	83
N.M. Highlands NMH	31	43	74

Summary
Box Score

JoJo Lutz, Fort Lewis Athletic Communications

JaQuaylon "Q" Mays (10) hits a three-point jumper in the face of a defender.

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | 12/9/2022 9:38:00 PM | Hayden Mangan, Athletic Communications Assistant

Late run lifts No. 12/25 Skyhawks past Cowboys in RMAC thriller

LAS VEGAS, N.M. – Both sides exchanged hard-hitting blows all night, but a 13-2 run capped off with a three-point jump shot from Junior Garbrah at the top of the arc gave the Fort Lewis College men's basketball team the edge needed to top New Mexico Highlands 83-74 in a thrilling, Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference game Friday night in the John A. Wilson Complex.

With its now ninth-straight victory, the Skyhawks elevate to 9-0 overall and 3-0 in RMAC games while the Cowboys fall to 3-6 overall and 1-2 in conference play.

"I can't express enough how proud I am of the grit we showed tonight," Fort Lewis College Head Coach Bob Pietrack stated. "Highlands is a very talented team, and they won't lose many more games at home this year. These road games are extremely challenging, and we have a target on our back that everyone will throw their best at. We've been tested by plenty of great teams like Highlands tonight, but we've always found something left in the tank to get the job done."

Akuel Kot led all scorers tonight with 30 points, Garbrah added 16 points, Dunnell Stafford 14 points, and Obi Agbim another 10 points.

While JaQuaylon Mays had a quiet seven points, the senior point guard led the Skyhawks with seven rebounds and five assists. Agbim aided Mays in distributing the ball, securing four assists and four steals of his own.

"Tonight, was an incredible team effort. Our guys played with incredible selflessness and relied on each other to get the job done. From drawing screens down the stretch to trusting the teammate next to you to hit the big shot, we believed in each other."

Dante Moses led the Cowboys on both ends of the floor with 20 points and nine rebounds, just one shy of a double-double. Jonathan Ileleji provided an additional 15 points alongside Jalen Munn with 10 points.

New Mexico Highlands dominated Fort Lewis in the post, outscoring the blue and gold on points in the paint 40-24 while both sides grabbed an equal 31 rebounds. The difference maker for the Skyhawks, especially down the stretch against the full-court press, was outscoring NMHU in fast break points 26-12.

Fort Lewis shot a steady 44.6 percent from the floor, 40.0 percent from the three-point line, and 72.2 percent at the free-throw line. New Mexico Highlands finished 50.0 percent from the field, 40.0 percent from beyond the arc, and 61.5 percent at the charity stripe.

NOTABLES
-Akuel Kot's 30-point performance tonight is now his fourth 30+ point performance of the season.
-Dunnell Stafford's 14 points tonight set a new season high.
-JaQuaylon Mays has now grabbed seven rebounds and four or more steals in back-to-back games. His five steals tonight have tied his season high.
-The Skyhawks combined 12 made three-point field goals tonight is the fifth game this season with ten or more.
-Fort Lewis has now won nine-straight games, a feat done just thrice before and most recently in the 2016-17 season.

NEXT UP
The Skyhawks get just enough time to catch their breath before heading to Pueblo, Colo., for an RMAC matchup with the Thunderwolves at Colorado State University Pueblo. Fort Lewis will tip off against The Pack tomorrow, Saturday, Dec. 10, at 7:30 p.m. in Massari Arena.

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