Fort Lewis FLC 24-2,18-2 RMAC

South Dakota Mines SDSMT 9-17,8-12 RMAC

Fort Lewis FLC

24-2,18-2 RMAC

Final

Feb. 18, 2023

South Dakota Mines SDSMT

9-17,8-12 RMAC

Score By Periods
Team	1	2	F
Fort Lewis FLC	43	37	80
South Dakota Mines SDSMT	34	35	69

Summary
Box Score

Hayden Mangan, Fort Lewis Athletic Communications

Dunnell "Scottie" Stafford (4) elevates over a Roadrunners defender.

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | 2/18/2023 9:05:00 PM | Hayden Mangan, Athletic Communications Assistant

No. 9/11 Skyhawks best Hardrockers in road finale

RAPID CITY, S.D. – Ninth-ranked Fort Lewis College men's basketball shot 50.0 percent from the field and out-rebounded South Dakota Mines 36-29 to outlast the Hardrockers 80-69 and extend the Skyhawks winning streak to nine Saturday night at the King Center.

Fort Lewis notched its 24^th win of the season tonight, setting a new program record for road wins in a single season at 10 out of 11, and moving to 24-2 overall and 18-2 in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play. South Dakota Mines falls to 9-17 overall and 8-12 in RMAC play.

Tonight also marks just the 7^th season in program history with 24 wins or more.

"Tonight, we were able to tough it out and maintain the lead no matter what they threw at us," head coach Bob Pietrack said. "These road games are extremely difficult. I'm beyond proud of both our players and coaching staff for showing maturity, determination, and competing nonstop through such a challenging and emotional week. Being on the road really makes you appreciate your home court, and there is none more special than Whalen Gymnasium. We're excited to get back home and close out our regular season in Whalen, and we hope we can fill those stands through our final two games."

South Dakota Mines hung tough early, matching the Skyhawks shot-for-shot and even taking the early 8-7 advantage on a three-pointer from Keagan Smith at the top of the arc. The script would flip, however, after a pair of free throws from Brenden Boatwright and a pull-up trey from Dunnell Stafford gave Fort Lewis a 14-10 lead and the final lead change of the first half.

The Hardrockers would not go away quietly, remaining on the heels of the Skyhawks and even pulling within one, 20-19, when Trase Olsen found the netting on a well-defended three-point jump shot in the right corner. Fort Lewis forced six of South Dakota Mines' eight total turnovers in the opening half to run out to a nine-point lead heading into the locker room, 43-34.

It was a stagnant opening to the second half as both teams missed a combined six shots alongside a pair of turnovers until Kolton Frugoli finally made a pair of free throws with 17:47 remaining. Alejandro Rama began to heat up, and with a pair of made free throws and trey on the Hardrockers following possession, South Dakota Mines was back within four, 45-41.

The Skyhawks responded to halt the Hardrockers momentum, making seven of the next nine shots to re-extend the lead to 58-47 on a pair of free throws from Brendan La Rose. Fort Lewis began to cruise offensively, leading by as many as 15 points and maintaining a double-digit lead up until 3:12 remained. Timely shooting and an and-one play from Brevin Walter had South Dakota Mines threatening within six, 73-67, but Fort Lewis would out-score the Hardrockers 7-3 in the final minutes to close out the game in favor of FLC.

Akuel Kot scored 23 of his 27 points in the second half alone to lead all scorers. Brenden Boatwright scored 16 points alongside Dunnell Stafford with 14 to round out the double figures for Fort Lewis. Alejandro Rama led South Dakota Mines with 23 points while fouling out late in the contest.

NOTABLES
-Akuel Kot's notched his 11^th game this season with 27 points or more.
-Fort Lewis has secured just the 7^th season in program history with 24 wins or more.
-The Skyhawks have now won 10 of its 11 road contests, setting a new program record for road wins in a single season. Fort Lewis is also now 18-1 over its last 19 road games.

FINAL WEEK AHEAD
The Skyhawks will return to Whalen Gymnasium to close out the regular season. Fort Lewis will host Metropolitan State University of Denver (11-15, 8-12 RMAC) on Friday, Feb. 24, followed by no. 19/25 Colorado School of Mines (22-4, 16-4 RMAC) on Saturday, Feb. 25. Themed 9R Night and presented by the Bank of Colorado, tip off against the Roadrunners is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

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