Fort Lewis FLC 21-2,15-2 RMAC

Western Colo. WC 3-18,1-16 RMAC

Fort Lewis FLC

21-2,15-2 RMAC

Final

Feb. 10, 2023

Western Colo. WC

3-18,1-16 RMAC

Score By Periods
Team	1	2	F
Fort Lewis FLC	40	42	82
Western Colo. WC	35	42	77

Summary
Box Score

JoJo Lutz, Fort Lewis Athletic Communications

Trevor Trost (25) takes a trey.

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | 2/10/2023 10:26:00 PM | Hayden Mangan, Athletic Communications Assistant

No. 10/12 Skyhawks emerge victorious in 82-77 decision against Mountaineers

GUNNISON, Colo. – Akuel Kot led all scorers with 38 points in the contest as the tenth-ranked Fort Lewis College men's basketball team downed Western Colorado 82-77 in Paul Wright Gym to complete the season sweep over the Mountaineers Friday evening.

Fort Lewis climbs to 21-2 overall, 15-2 in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play, and into sole possession of second-place in RMAC standings. Western Colorado falls to 3-18 overall and 1-16 in conference play.

"Playing on short rest and coming into a tough environment like Western, tonight was difficult for us," head coach Bob Pietrack shared. "I have to give credit to [Avery Rembao]. He was outstanding and all of the Mountaineers played their hearts out tonight. We really didn't shoot it well from the free-throw line, but down the stretch, we made big plays to maintain the lead and hold the gap. These road wins are extremely tough and absolutely essential for us to break into the postseason."

The Skyhawks are now 8-1 on the road this season, have won 16 of the last 17 games on the road, and have amassed a 29-4 record over the last 33 games: the best in program history through as many games.

After an even exchange of shots to open the game with a 7-7 tie, Fort Lewis began to sprint off with the momentum and the lead after a jump shot in the post from JaQuaylon Mays gave FLC a 30-20 advantage.

The Skyhawks stretched the lead out to 14 points with 5:21 left on the clock in the first half on a three-point jumper from Brendan La Rose. The Mountaineers rallied, however, and Jaelan McCloud hit three of his final four three-point shots to lift Western Colorado back within five, 40-35 at halftime.

Fort Lewis made the first four shots of the second half, but timely defense and precise shooting from Western Colorado held the game within six points for well over seven minutes. Sekou Dembele finally found the basket underneath to break open the stalemate, and Kot used the open lane moments later to regain a nine-point lead, the Skyhawks largest of the second half, 73-64.

The Mountaineers began to fire away jump shots throughout the final minutes, three of which would fall for scores, but six-straight points from Kot in the final minutes would hold off Western Colorado for the win.

Avery Rembao led Western Colorado with 33 points, four rebounds, and a single assist. McCloud provided an additional 15 points and matched Robel Desta with seven rebounds.

Both sides gave up seven turnovers, but Fort Lewis won the steal battle 5-3 and the rebound battle 34-32. While the Mountaineers out-shot the Skyhawks 40.0 percent (10-25) to 29.4 percent (5-17) from beyond the arc, FLC held the edge overall from the field 50.9 percent (27-53) to Western's 42.9 percent (24-56).

NOTABLES
-Fort Lewis is now 29-4 over the last 33 games – the best run through as many games in program history.
-The Skyhawks have now won 16 of its last 17 games on the road.
-Akuel Kot scored 38 points tonight marking his sixth game with 30 or more points and his 15^th game with 20 or more points this season.
-JaQuaylon Mays now has 46 rebounds over the last six games, a 7.7 rebounds per game average.
-Fort Lewis has now shot 50.0 percent or better in nine games this season.

NEXT UP
Fort Lewis is back at home next week to host the program's first-ever top-ten matchup inside Whalen Gymnasium. The tenth-ranked Skyhawks will host the RMAC-leading and third-ranked Black Hills State Yellow Jackets (21-2, 15-1 RMAC) for a 7:00 p.m. tip-off. Themed Y2K presented by Durango Chamber of Commerce, fans are encouraged to wear their favorite early 2000s styles and at half time, one lucky FLC student will have a chance at a $1,000 half-court shot.

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