Colo. Christian CC 10-7,6-5 RMAC

Fort Lewis FLC 10-7,7-4 RMAC

Colo. Christian CC

10-7,6-5 RMAC

Final

Jan. 20, 2024

Fort Lewis FLC

10-7,7-4 RMAC

Score By Periods
Team	1	2	3	4	F
Colo. Christian CC	17	18	13	16	64
Fort Lewis FLC	17	22	17	14	70

Summary
Box Score

Kaitlyn Silva

Junior Samantha Wattawa had a double double (11 rebounds, 10 points) in the win over Colorado Christian

Game Recap: Women's Basketball | 1/20/2024 7:20:00 PM | Angela Roberts, Assistant AD-Communications

Five reach double figures in statement win over Colorado Christian

DURANGO, Colo. – The Fort Lewis College women's basketball team surpassed its win total from the 2022-23 season on Saturday night, using double-digit scoring from five Skyhawks to rout Colorado Christian University by a final score of 70-64.

The win lifts Fort Lewis to 10-7 on the year and 7-4 in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play while Colorado Christian dropped to 10-7 overall and 6-5 in league play.

The Skyhawks benefited from sharp shooting in the second quarter (70%) to close out the game with a 39.6 percent mark from the field. The Cougars turned in a 30.3 percent clip and attempted 28 more shots than the Skyhawks. Colorado Christian stuck thanks to their ability to offensive rebound, racking up 21 offensive boards versus seven for Fort Lewis.

Sophomore Lanae Billy led the team with 17 points and was five-of-nine from three. Senior Kelsey Sorenson followed with 13 points to go along with seven rebounds and three assists. Junior Samantha Wattawa was a key piece of the puzzle on both sides of the ball, earning a double-double (11 rebounds, 10 points) and marking all six free throw attempts in crucial moments. Juniors Sadie Misner and Avery Evans recorded 12 points and 10 points, respectively.

The Cougars took an early lead in the opening possessions, but Billy got her team back even with back-to-back threes. The threes continued to work for Fort Lewis with a pair from senior Ember Cervantes and Misner making it a 14-13 lead at the 2:32 mark. Colorado Christian came back with four points to see a three-point advantage with just over a minute to play. Evans had the last word in the quarter, nailing a corner three to tie it at 17-all after 10 minutes of play.

The Skyhawks opened the second quarter with four-straight points to claim an early lead, and Billy eventually extended the advantage to 26-19 with her third three of the game. Colorado Christian pulled within three points midway through the quarter after knocking down a pair of three's, and the gap went on to rest at just one point with just over two minutes to go. Colorado Christian managed to tie the game at 32-32, but free throws and a quarter-ending three by sophomore Kate Gallery made it 39-35 Skyhawks at the break.

Both sides scored in the first minute of the third quarter, but the game went scoreless for the next four minutes before a Sorenson layup snapped the streak. Wattawa extended the lead at the charity stripe, and Billy did it again from beyond the arc to make it an eight-point lead. The final two minutes of play saw both teams at the free throw line, capped off by a pair of made shots from Misner for a 56-48 lead after three quarters.

Fort Lewis maintained a comfortable lead through four minutes of the final quarter before the Cougars began to chip away. Colorado Christian enjoyed an 8-2 scoring run to make it a one-possession game with just two minutes to go. Wattawa nailed two free throws to extend the lead, and the junior did it again just 30 seconds late to make it 65-59. The Cougars converted on a much-needed three-pointer with under a minute on the clock, but Fort Lewis immediately countered with two more free throws to see a five-point edge. The final minute saw free throws on both sides, and the Skyhawks came out on top as the buzzer sounded.

Up Next
Fort Lewis (10-7, 7-4 RMAC) will be on the road to close out the month of January, first with a game versus Colorado Mesa University (13-4, 7-3 RMAC) on Friday, January 26th. The Skyhawks wrap up the month against Westminster University (3-14, 1-10 RMAC) the following night.

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