Western N.M. WNMU 0-3,0-0 Lone Star

Fort Lewis FLC 2-3,0-0 RMAC

Western N.M. WNMU

0-3,0-0 Lone Star

Final

Nov. 15, 2024

Fort Lewis FLC

2-3,0-0 RMAC

Score By Periods
Team	1	2	F
Western N.M. WNMU	32	30	62
Fort Lewis FLC	26	45	71

Summary
Box Score

Kaitlyn Silva

Keither Florence (20) finds the open lane in the post against the Mustangs in Whalen Gymnasium (Nov. 15, 2024)

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | 11/15/2024 6:06:00 PM | Hayden Mangan, Assistant AD-Communications & Fan Engagement

Second-half surge lifts No. 22 Skyhawks past Mustangs

Fort Lewis forces 24 turnovers

DURANGO, Colo. – Trailing by six points at halftime, the No. 22-ranked Fort Lewis men's basketball team (2-3) rallied in the locker room and bounced back to out-score the Mustangs by 15 points in the second half and climb back to a 71-62 victory over Western New Mexico (0-3) in the first game of the Skyhawks Hardwood Classic in Whalen Gymnasium.

Fort Lewis continued to be plagued by shooting woes, with the Skyhawks firing off at 33.8 percent (25-74) from the floor with four three-pointers in 19 attempts (21.1 percent), while Western New Mexico cruised at an effective 43.9 percent shooting (25-57) shooting with six treys on the day.

The Skyhawks defense, however, kept them in the contest, out-rebounding the Mustangs by a narrow 45-41 margin, but more importantly, forced 24 turnovers out of WNMU while committing just 12. FLC scored 29 points off said turnovers and picked up 23 second-chance points on the squad's 25 offensive rebounds.

Both teams struggled at the free throw line, but Fort Lewis managed to sink 17 free throws in 25 attempts (68.0 percent), while Western New Mexico made just six in 13 attempts (46.2 percent).

Keither Florence stepped in the post, leading all players with a game-high 18 points on a near-perfect 7-of-8 shooting from the field with one three-pointer and three made free throws as well. Florence also brought down three rebounds, made three steals, handed out two assists, and blocked a shot.

Tru Allen and Biko Johnson round out the Skyhawks to finish in double figures with 14 points and 10 points, respectively. While Stewart Erhart finished with only seven points, he led the roster in both steals with four and rebounds with a game-high nine. Allen finished with eight rebounds, and Johnson had four steals and three assists.

Carson Kelly guided the Mustangs playing all 40 minutes and leading the team with 14 points, six rebounds, and two assists. Kelly was 6-for-11 (54.5 percent) from the floor with a pair of treys. Yves Nkomba supplied another 14 points, while Quincy Adams led the roster with seven rebounds and five turnovers.

Notables
-Fort Lewis picks up its third consecutive win over Western New Mexico and continues to lead the Mustangs 9-1 in the last ten contests.
-Three or more Skyhawks finished with double-digit scoring for the fourth time this season.
-FLC is now 2-1 against regional opponents.
-Keither Florence led the Skyhawks in scoring for the first time this season while supplying his second double-digit performance of the year.
-Tru Allen has finished in double figures in three of his five games played.

A Chance to Break Even
Tomorrow, Fort Lewis will take on Northern New Mexico (1-8), with a chance to get back to an even record before heading on the road, in the final contest of the Skyhawks Hardwood Classic and the weekend at 7 p.m. in Whalen Gymnasium.

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