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Trista Hoobler
Kaitlyn Silva

Women's basketball returns home to face Northern New Mexico

11/21/2024 10:25:00 AM

By: Angela Roberts, Associate AD-Communications
DURANGO, Colo. – Skyhawks women's basketball is back home this week for a single-game against Northern New Mexico on Saturday at 3:00 p.m.

Prior to Saturday's contest, Northern New Mexico and Western Colorado University will play a neutral site game on Friday at 4:00 p.m. from Whalen Gymnasium.

Last Time Out
Fort Lewis played in Salt Lake City last week and dropped a pair of games to Colorado Mesa University and Westminster University. In the 75-48 loss to the Mavericks, The Skyhawks shot 40 percent (18-of-45) from the field and 40 percent from three and the free throw line. The Mavericks shot 53.7 percent (29-of-54) from the field and benefited from 12 made free throws compared to just four for Fort Lewis. Colorado Mesa held a 28-25 advantage in rebounds and committed 10 fewer turnovers than Fort Lewis.

The next night featured a tightly contested matchup against the Griffins in which the Skyhawks ultimately fell by a 61-58 final score. Fort Lewis shot 42 percent (21-of-50) from the field to mark a season-best but struggled from beyond the arc where they converted just 16.7 percent of shots. Westminster was 39.6 percent (21-of-53) from the field and 15.8 percent from three. Westminster made 16 free throws compared to 14 for Fort Lewis. The Skyhawks outrebounded the Griffins 33-31.

Scouting Northern New Mexico
The Eagles are 4-5 this season with wins over Bethel College, Oklahoma Panhandle State, North American University, and Western New Mexico. Northern New Mexico is coming off a 16-6 season in 2023-24.

Though the Eagles have played nine games this season, there are only statistics reported from two games. The averages below are from games versus Texas A&M-San Antonio and Western New Mexico.

Statistically, the Eagles average 67 points per game while shooting .426 from the field. They average seven made three-pointers per game to go along with eight free throws. The team comes away with 32.5 rebounds per game compared to 36.5 for their opponents. The team is led by Ethena Silva who puts up 17 points per game, followed by Jayden Jenkins at 16. Jenkins is the leading rebounder at 7.5 per game, followed by Silva at 5.5.

Inside the Numbers
The Skyhawks have averaged 51.8 points per game (-10.8) this season while shooting .368 from the field. Fort Lewis is shooting .261 from three and averages 4.5 made threes per game. They are 35-53 from the free throw line (.660). On defense, the Skyhawks have averaged 30.5 rebounds per game (-3.8) and 8.3 steals per game. A problem area has been in the turnover category where they are averaging 17.8 per game.

Junior Darla Hernandez leads the squad so far with 11.3 points per game, followed by junior Deniece Ryan at 9.8 points per game. Hernandez is also the top rebounder with 6.8 per game, followed by senior Livia Knapp at 3.8 per game. Knapp has handled point guard duties and leads the way by averaging 2.75 assists per game.
 
RMAC Preseason Rankings
Fort Lewis was selected to finish 12th in the conference in the preseason coaches' poll. The Skyhawks pulled 52 votes to come in ahead of Chadron State (45), New Mexico Highlands (36), and Westminster (29). Colorado Mesa was tabbed to take home the conference crown with seven first-place votes, followed by UCCS, CSU Pueblo, and Adams State—each team earning at least one first-place vote.

Up Next
The Skyhawks will play a home game against UT Tyler on Friday, November 29 at 3:00 p.m. The Patriots are 3-0 this season with wins over Colorado Christian and CSU Pueblo.
 
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