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Avery Evans
Kaitlyn Silva

Women's basketball welcomes #9/10 Orediggers and Roadrunners for weekend slate

2/1/2024 10:00:00 AM

By: Angela Roberts, Assistant AD-Communications
DURANGO, Colo. – Skyhawks women's basketball is home this week for a pair of conference games against No. 9/10 Colorado School of Mines and MSU Denver. Friday's theme is the annual "Whalen White Out" and Saturday's 9R Night theme means free admission for all 9R students and staff.

Last Time Out
Fort Lewis earned a split on the road last week, falling to Colorado Mesa (87-71) before closing the trip out with a win over Westminster (71-50). In the loss the Colorado Mesa, The Mavericks benefited from sharp shooting beyond the arc, making 15 three-pointers compared to four for the Skyhawks. Fort Lewis held a narrow edge at the free throw line, making 23 versus 22 for Colorado Mesa. Fort Lewis shot 44 percent (22-of-50) from the field compared to a 45 percent (25-of-55) clip for Colorado Mesa. The Mavericks outrebounded the Skyhawks 43-20.

Sophomore Lanae Billy led the team with 21 points, followed by juniors Avery Evans and Samantha Wattawa who each recorded 11 points. Senior Kelsey Sorenson and sophomore Kate Gallery followed with nine points apiece.

The team rebounded the following night with a convincing win over the Griffins to secure the series sweep. The Skyhawks shot a season-high 49 percent (25-of-51) from the field while holding the Griffins to a 35.2 percent (19-of-54) clip. Much like they have been all season, the Skyhawks earned the advantage at the charity stripe by going 14-of-15 versus 8-of-9 for the Griffins. Fort Lewis' defense was on display as well, forcing 23 turnovers and scoring 20 points off the miscues. It was the 14th time that the Skyhawks have forced 20+ turnovers this season.

Sorenson led the team with her second double-double of the season, earning a career-high 13 rebounds to go along with 21 points. Billy followed with 13 points while Evans enjoyed double-digit points for the second night in a row after contributing 10 to go along with three assists. Junior Sadie Misner picked up nine points and dished out a career-high five assists. 

Scouting #9/10 Colorado School of Mines
The Orediggers improved to 17-2 overall and 12-1 in conference play following wins over MSU Denver (65-62) and Western Colorado (76-68) last week. Mines is ranked ninth in the WBCA poll and tenth in the D2SIDA poll. The Orediggers rank second in the conference by averaging 73.7 points per game. They shoot 41.1 percent from the field and allow a 42.3 percent mark for their opponents. Mines averages 35.7 rebounds per game and 9.8 steals per game.

Individually, Ashley Steffeck leads the team and ranks third in the conference with 18.5 points per game. Steffeck is sound defensively, too, and leads the conference with 3.4 steals per game. Her 6.8 rebounds per game lead the team, followed by a pair of players with four or more. Offensively, Jenna Siebert follows by averaging 12 points per game. Five additional players average at least six points per game.

Fort Lewis leads the all-time series 37-25 but has dropped the last six matchups. In last year's season finale, Mines narrowly escaped Whalen with a 78-75 win. Billy led the team with 14 points while four additional players reached double figures.

Scouting MSU Denver
The Roadrunners are experiencing a down year with a 3-14 overall record and a 2-10 mark in conference play. The team dropped games to Mines (65-62) and Western Colorado (70-61) last week. The Roadrunners are averaging 53.8 points per game compared to 64.2 per game for their opponents. MSU Denver turns the ball over 17.2 times per game while averaging 6.8 steals per game.

Mikylah Espinosa leads the team by averaging 13.7 points per game, followed by Brianna Sealy at 8.4 per game. Sealy is the leading rebounder at 6.5 per game. Mariana Silva Pereira has earned a team-best 37 assists this season.

Fort Lewis leads the all-time series 13-8 but has lost the last three meetings. The Skyhawks hold an 8-1 record over the Roadrunners when playing at home.

Around the RMAC
Mines leads the conference ranks with a 17-2 overall record and a 12-1 mark in league play, Regis (16-3, 11-2 RMAC) and Colorado Mesa (15-4, 10-3 RMAC). Fort Lewis sits in seventh with a record of 8-5 in conference play. In the statistical standings, Fort Lewis ranks seventh in points per game (66.9), seventh in 3-point FGs made (6.6), fifth in scoring defense (62.5), fourth in free throw percentage (77.2), second in turnover margin (5.47), second in steals (13.1), and first in attendance (858).

Inside the Numbers
Fort Lewis is led by sophomore Lanae Billy who is averaging 16.3 points per game (8th RMAC), followed by senior Kelsey Sorenson who is putting up 13.5 per game (14th RMAC). From there, six players average over five points per game. Junior Samantha Wattawa leads the team with 5.9 rebounds per game (16th RMAC). Billy leads the team and ranks second in the conference with a 3.1 steals per game average, and junior Sadie Misner is close behind with 2.5 per game (6th in RMAC). Billy's mark ranks 15th in all of NCAA Division II.

Packing the House
Whalen Gymnasium has been rocking this season, and the passion and support have translated to national recognition for the women's program. Following last week's games, including Friday's crowd of over 1,400 fans, the Skyhawks are ranked eighth in NCAA Division II in total attendance. The group is also ranked nationally in average attendance (13th in NCAA DII). Thank you, Skyhawks fans, for your support of Skyhawks hoops and our women's program.

Up Next
Fort Lewis will be on the road for one game next week. The team is set to take on CSU Pueblo on Friday, February 9 at 5:30 p.m. from the Massari Arena in Pueblo.
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