Colo. Sch. of Mines CSM 26-5,18-4 RMAC

Fort Lewis FLC 28-3,19-3 RMAC

Colo. Sch. of Mines CSM

26-5,18-4 RMAC

Final

Mar. 04, 2023

Fort Lewis FLC

28-3,19-3 RMAC

Score By Periods
Team	1	2	F
Colo. Sch. of Mines CSM	33	43	76
Fort Lewis FLC	42	40	82

Summary
Box Score

Hayden Mangan, Fort Lewis Athletic Communications

The Fort Lewis College men's basketball team captures the 2023 RMAC Tournament Championship.

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | 3/4/2023 10:00:00 PM | Hayden Mangan, Athletic Communications Assistant

Men’s basketball captures RMAC Tournament Championship, Kot named Tournament MVP

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – The Fort Lewis College men's basketball team has climbed the mountain and captured history, defeating 13^th-ranked Colorado School of Mines 82-76 for the second time this season to capture the 2023 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament Championship and punching their ticket to the NCAA Division II South-Central Regional Tournament.

Fort Lewis advances to 28-3, matching the program record for wins in a single season. The Skyhawks have now captured at least a share of the RMAC Regular Season Championship and the RMAC Tournament Championship for the third time in program history. Mines falls to 26-5 overall and will more than likely join the Skyhawks at next week's South-Central Regional.

"This was a phenomenal win for the program," Fort Lewis College Head Coach Bob Pietrack stated. "Mines is a phenomenal and championship program. When you play a team three times you know what each other is going to do. You may tinker with things and make small adjustments, but it really just comes down to making and missing. Overall, I'm just really happy for our guys. Coaching is simply about the players, and we have a great, selfless group to work with who are all bought into the program. To be able to coach a special team like this, I'm truly blessed."

Akuel Kot was named to the RMAC All-Tournament Team and tabbed as the RMAC Tournament Most Valuable Player. Junior Garbrah, Brenden Boatwright, and Obi Agbim each secured RMAC All-Tournament Team honors as well.

After being ranked No. 1 in the South-Central Region the past two weeks by the NCAA, the Skyhawks have possibly ensured that the Division II South-Central Regional will roll through Durango, Colorado.

Fort Lewis flipped the script from its first two go-arounds with Mines, capturing the lead with the opening basket and never looking back. Just over three minutes into the contest, Kot split two defenders for a mid-range jump shot to put FLC in front early, 11-4.

The Skyhawks shot the lights out of Bronson Arena in the opening half, shooting 56.7% from the field as a unit while also burying three, three-pointers. Adam Thistlewood and Brendan Sullivan combined for 24 of the Orediggers 33 points in the opening half, but after stretching the lead to as many as 15 points on a jumper from Obi Agbim in the post, Fort Lewis entered halftime with just a nine-point lead, 42-33.

Both sides exchanged baskets to open the second half, but a heat-check from JaQuaylon Mays from deep beyond the arc put Fort Lewis back in front by 12 and cut down the Orediggers momentum. The Skyhawks controlled the pace of play in the second half, limiting Mines' possessions by outrebounding the Orediggers 22-16 across the final half.

Unable to pull any closer than a four-point differential late in the second half, Fort Lewis downed Colorado School of Mines 82-76 to capture the RMAC Tournament Championship.

Thistlewood led Mines and all scorers on the night with 26 points. Kot paved the way for the Skyhawks with 23 points while Agbim added 19 more. Boatwright notched a pivotal double-double in tonight's contest with 16 points and 13 rebounds, his third this season and fifth of his career.

Thistlewood and Brendon Sullivan were named to the All-Tournament team as well as Black Hills State University's Joel Scott and Colorado Mesa University's Blaise Threatt.

NOTABLES
-Fort Lewis has captured both a share of the RMAC Regular Season Championship and RMAC Tournament Championship in the season for just the third time in program history.
-Akuel Kot was named to the All-Tournament Team and named the RMAC Tournament Most Valuable Player.
-Junior Garbrah, Brenden Boatwright, and Obi Agbim were all tabbed with All-Tournament Team honors as well.
-The Skyhawks record now stands at 28-3, tying the program record for wins in a single season.
-Fort Lewis has won it all in arguably one of the toughest conference tournaments in the country that featured a final four with all remaining teams ranked 16^th or better on the National Association of Basketball Coaches Poll.
-This season the Skyhawks have also set program records for road wins in a single season going 10-1, and regular season wins with 25.
-Head coach Bob Pietrack has now sent the Skyhawks three-straight appearances in the RMAC Tournament, captured two RMAC Tournament Championships, captured at least a share of three Regular Season RMAC Championships, and guided Fort Lewis to four NCAA Division II South Central Regionals in his eight seasons as head coach. Following tonight's win, Pietrack owns a 159-70 record at the helm of the program.

NEXT UP, HOME?
With tonight's win, the Skyhawks have made a statement and all but assured they maintain their No. 1 South-Central Regional ranking heading into Sunday's selection show. On Sunday, their fate will officially be decided during the selection show on ncaa.com at 9:00 p.m. MST. A watch party will be hosted on campus with more details to come.

SUSTAINING CHAMPIONS
The Fort Lewis College Men's Basketball team just solidified their place in history as Co-RMAC Conference Champions. Thank you for staying connected and following the record-breaking regular season. You can continue to team up with the Skyhawks through the sustaining champion's campaign. This campaign will help prepare the program for the post-season as well as the future. Your donation to support Skyhawks Basketball will help ensure our coaches are equipped with the resources necessary to continue recruiting quality student-athletes and sustain championship-level performance. You will also create a memorable post-season experience and other program enhancements for all involved.

The Department of Athletics is extremely proud of the accomplishments of our student-athletes in the classroom, in the community, and in competition. We invite you to join our sustaining champions campaign to enhance the student-athlete experience. Every donation makes a difference and supports our mission of graduating champions. Reminder to stay connected for more information about the post-season at GoSkyhawks.com. Thank you again for your continued support. If you would like to donate, click HERE. To The Top!

CHAMPIONSHIP APPAREL
Fort Lewis College RMAC Conference Championship apparel is now available for purchase through BSN Sports HERE. Use the access code, 'YLpyTr1Cqa' to access all of the Skyhawks postseason conference gear. The deadline for orders is next Monday, Mar. 6.

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