Fort Lewis FLC 2-21,1-16 RMAC

Colo. Christian CC 7-16,4-13 RMAC

Fort Lewis FLC

2-21,1-16 RMAC

Final

Feb. 14, 2022

Colo. Christian CC

7-16,4-13 RMAC

Score By Periods
Team	1	2	3	4	F
Fort Lewis FLC	18	15	14	16	63
Colo. Christian CC	22	14	11	18	65

Summary
Box Score

David Wilson, FLC Athletics

Candelaria picked up 33 points for her second 30+ point game in a row

Game Recap: Women's Basketball | 2/14/2022 6:18:00 PM | Angela Roberts, Athletic Communications Assistant

Cougars Claim 65-63 Win Over Skyhawks on the Road

LAKEWOOD, Colo. – The Fort Lewis College women's basketball team dropped a 65-63 road contest to Colorado Christian University on Monday night, falling to 2-21 overall and 1-16 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.

Fort Lewis shot 40 percent (24-of-60) from the field and 35 percent (7-of-20) from the field versus 45.6 percent (26-of-57) from the field for CCU and 26.7 (4-of-15) from three. The Cougars won the rebound battle putting up 42 compared to 25 for the Skyhawks. The game saw six tied scores and six lead changes, most of which came in the second half of play.

Leading the team offensively was redshirt senior guard Sydney Candelaria, picking up her second 30+ point game in a row with 33 points. Candelaria was lights out in the fourth quarter, picking up 14 points in a row to spark a near comeback for her Skyhawks squad. Redshirt sophomore Kelsey Sorenson followed with 12 points to go along with a team-best seven rebounds.

"Sydney is creating a legacy that is cementing herself as one of the top players in the RMAC and one of the great Skyhawks," acknowledged head coach Taylor Harris. "Of course, you'd like her to get more help on a night to night basis. It will come, but we don't want to lose sight of what a great season she's having."

The Skyhawks found offense from Sorenson to slow a 9-0 opening run for the Cougars, first with a drive to the rim and then with a pair of free throws for a 9-4 score. Candelaria chipped in a deep three moments later to extend the Fort Lewis scoring run and see the score at 9-7 with seven minutes to go. CCU extended the lead to 16-11 over the ensuing minutes, but the Skyhawks took advantage of a turnover with a Candelaria layup to pull within three. The teams traded points down the stretch, including Sorenson's 10^th points of the quarter for a 22-18 score after one quarter.

Adams knocked down a spinning jumper to cut the deficit to a pair, but the Cougars answered right back with a quick layup for a 24-20 score. Redshirt junior Brooke McGee drained a shot from three to bring the score to 29-28 in favor of CCU with just under five minutes remaining in the half. Fort Lewis saw its first lead of the day after a layup from freshman Samantha Wattawa dropped in, bringing things to 30-29 off the assist from Candelaria. The teams were scoreless over the following two minutes, holding the score at 33-32 at the clock wound under one minute. The Cougars ended the half with back-to-back jumpers to see a 36-33 lead at the half.

The Skyhawks quickly reclaimed the lead to open the second half, highlighted by a deep three from Candelaria for a 41-37 lead. The Cougars worked the remain within striking distance and ultimately knotting things at 43-43 with 5:18 on the clock. The score moved to 45-45 with under two minutes remaining in the quarter as the teams traded turnovers. Redshirt freshman Jana Conjero found herself at the charity stripe with :50 to go, making both attempts for a 47-45 lead. Similarly, the Cougars had free throw opportunities with :22 remaining and made both for a 47-47 score that would stand as time expired in the quarter.

CCU found an early lead in the fourth quarter, going up 51-47 with a huge three from the near end. The Cougars continued to benefit from offensive rebounds, building the lead to 57-49 with six minutes remaining. Candelaria chipped in a three-point play to make it 59-52 with 4:37 to go. It would be Candelaria again, this time from behind the arc for her 25^th point of the night to see CCU lead dwindle at 59-55.

The senior guard continued her own eight-point scoring run with free throws, hitting both to tie the score at 59-59 with three minutes remaining. Candelaria continued her tear, putting up her 14^th point in a row to see the Skyhawks down 64-63 with 1:28 remaining. The Cougars extended the lead by one-point courtesy of a free throw, bringing the score to 65-63 with just :08 left in the contest. The Skyhawks had an opportunity late, but an out-of-bounds call ended the hopes for the road squad in a 65-63 final score.

"We have to keep a broader picture in mind--staying together and staying positive. There's no quit in this team, nor will there be," said Harris. "You have to go through storms to get rainbows, and we believe our rainbow is coming."

Fort Lewis (2-21, 1-16 RMAC) is back on the road for the Friday/Saturday slate with Adams State University and CSU Pueblo. Friday's game versus Adams State is set to begin at 5:30 p.m. in Alamosa.

"Our first focus is going to be getting home and resting our bodies. We'll get back to work on Wednesday to get ready for a very good Adams State team," concluded Harris.

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