N.M. Highlands NMH 4-3,2-1 RMAC

Fort Lewis FLC 7-1,3-0 RMAC

N.M. Highlands NMH

4-3,2-1 RMAC

Final

Dec. 08, 2023

Fort Lewis FLC

7-1,3-0 RMAC

Score By Periods
Team	1	2	F
N.M. Highlands NMH	35	42	77
Fort Lewis FLC	42	49	91

Summary
Box Score

JoJo Lutz, Fort Lewis Athletic Communications

Junior Garbrah (3) one-upped his season best on Tuesday with a career-high 25 points tonight on 69.2% shooting.

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | 12/8/2023 11:09:00 PM | Hayden Mangan, Assistant Director of Athletic Communications

Garbrah stays hot with a career-high 25 points as No. 20 Fort Lewis prevails over New Mexico Highlands, 91-77

DURANGO, Colo. – Fort Lewis College men's basketball rode the hot hand on Friday night as senior guard Junior Garbrah rifled off a career-best 25 points in front of a crowd of 2,003 to guide the 20^th-ranked Skyhawks to a gritty 91-77 win over New Mexico Highlands University and move to 7-1 on the season and 3-0 in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play.

The Cowboys take their third loss of the season and first in league play to drop to 5-3 overall and 2-1 in conference games.

"That was really good Division II basketball game and two teams competing at a high level," head coach Pietrack shared post-game. "I thought our defense was extremely disruptive all night long, they really couldn't get into a rhythm because of how hard we were playing. Offensively, it was great to see other guys step up and score; a big night for Garbrah and Thompson."

Garbrah was lights out finishing the evening 9-for-13 from the floor, 5-for-6 from beyond the arc, and a perfect two-for-two at the free-throw line. In addition, he also registered one rebound, assist, and block. Isaiah Thompson was another key figure in tonight's contest as the six-foot-six junior pitched in another 19 points alongside a team-high five rebounds, three assists, two steals, and two assists.

Kenard Richardson was the only player from New Mexico Highlands to finish in double figures with a monstrous 35 points on 12-for-18 shooting while knocking down all seven three-point attempts. Richardson also added eight rebounds, but it was AC Curry who led the Cowboys' roster with 11 boards on the night.

Fort Lewis forced 22 turnovers whilst being out-rebounded by NMHU, 41-31. The Skyhawks dished out a season-high 17 assists and shot above 50 percent down the stretch for the third consecutive game.

After limiting the Cowboys to 35 points in the opening half, the blue and gold found themselves up just seven points heading into the locker room despite 45 percent shooting and six treys. Out of the half, Jhei-R Jones put FLC in front by 16 with a layup down low just three minutes in.

New Mexico Highlands, however, would not go quietly into the night. The invading Cowboys rallied and put together a 27-11 run over eight minutes to force a 65-65 tie late in the second half. Fort Lewis didn't crack but instead answered in tow with a 26-12 run of its own with the home crowd behind them to pull away with the win through the final seven minutes.

Notables
-Garbrah, after posting a season-high 20 points on Tuesday against Adams State University, one-upped himself with a career-best 25 points tonight.
-Thompson recorded a plethora of season-highs including 19 points, 28 minutes, three assists, two steals, and two blocks.
-Fort Lewis notched its fourth game this season forcing 20 or more turnovers.
-The Skyhawks have shot above 53 percent in the second half of each of its last three games.
-Obi Agbim recorded a career-high two blocks.

Back Tomorrow Night
Fort Lewis is right back in action tomorrow night as the Skyhawks host Colorado State University Pueblo (6-3, 2-1 RMAC) for another classic conference matchup in Whalen Gymnasium. Tabbed as Whalen Winter Wonderland and Donation Day, fans are encouraged not only to dress up in their favorite holiday-themed sweaters but also to bring various gift donations for those in need this holiday season. Each gift item valued at $10 or more is worth one free admission ticket to Saturday's games.

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