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Cassius Carmichael vs. Regis
Chris Neal, Shooter Imaging
Cassius Carmichael (10) collects a rebound against the Rangers in Whalen Gymnasium (Dec. 7, 2024)

Skyhawks host No. 8/4 Buffs to cap 2024

12/19/2024 11:45:00 AM

By: Hayden Mangan, Assistant AD-Communications & Fan Engagement
Fort Lewis vs. No. 8/4 West Texas A&M
Friday, Dec. 20, 12:00 p.m. | Whalen Gymnasium | Durango, Colo.
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DURANGO, Colo. – Fort Lewis (7-5, 2-2 RMAC) will close out the 2024 calendar year at home on Friday at Noon as the Skyhawks host No. 8/4 West Texas A&M (9-1, 4-1 LSC) for a non-conference in-region matchup inside Whalen Gymnasium.
 
Momentum
The Skyhawks have returned to winning ways in recent weeks after downing New Mexico Highlands (6-5, 0-4 RMAC) 80-77 at home and topping Adams State (5-6, 1-3 RMAC) 88-71 on the road. Last week's success puts Fort Lewis into a five-way tie for sixth in the conference standings entering the holiday break. Over the past two games, FLC has outrebounded its opponents 76-62, forced 35 turnovers, and put up 66 points off the bench. In addition, Fort Lewis shot a season-high 49.2 percent (32-65) from the field in last Thursday's win at Adams State.
 
Key Figures
Fort Lewis' high-pressure defense has only improved throughout the season, with the Skyhawks leading the RMAC and ranking 12th in NCAA Division II with 11.5 steals per game thanks to 19.64 turnovers forced per game, a mark that also ranks 15th in DII. The Skyhawks' success has led to a turnover margin of +4.58, which is 19th in DII and one of only two in the RMAC above +1.3. Off the glass, Fort Lewis ranks in the middle of the league with 35.3 rebounds per game. However, the Skyhawks are fourth in offensive rebounds per game with 11.4, just 0.5 shy of New Mexico Highlands, who leads the league with 11.9.
 
Skyhawks Leaders
Senior guard Biko Johnson, who scored in single figures just once this season with eight points in the season opener, leads the offense in scoring with 15.3 points per game on 38.6 percent (59-153) shooting for the season. Fifth-year guard Tru Allen supplies another 13.2 points and 3.6 rebounds per game but most notably, leads the Skyhawks on both ends of the floor with 3.25 assists and 1.4 steals per game. Chuol Deng has been Fort Lewis' hottest scoring threat in recent weeks as the senior forward put up a 28-point, 13-rebound double-double against NMHU before tallying another 15 points and eight rebounds against ASU.
 
Scouting the Buffs
West Texas A&M was picked to win the Lone Star Conference in the league's preseason poll, and the Buffaloes have shown why after marching out to a 9-1 start to the season and a 4-1 mark in the conference play. After climbing to No. 2 on the National Association of Basketball Coaches Top 25 Poll, WTAM was then stunned on the road 65-60 by Texas A&M-Kingsville (6-5, 2-3 LSC) for its first loss of the season.
 
The Buffs boast the second-highest scoring offense in the region, averaging 86.3 points per game, which is good for 30th overall in DII. Leading the charge is six-foot-one junior guard Ahamed Mohammed, who puts up 18.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game on 42.1 percent (61-145) shooting from the field. Sophomore guard Noah Pagotto is the only other Buffalo to average double figures with 15.9 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. Defensively, WTAM is 11th in the Lone Star Conference allowing 72.0 points per game.
 
Up Next
Following the holiday break, Fort Lewis will host Navajo Technical University (1-10-1) for its annual Native American Heritage Games powered by NABI on Saturday, Jan. 4, at 7:30 p.m. over at the Sun Ute Community Center in Ignacio, Colo.
 
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