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Kate Gallery
Kaitlyn Silva
Sophomore Kate Gallery has started in 22 games this season

Women's basketball closes out home schedule versus Yellow Jackets and Hardrockers

2/22/2024 10:00:00 AM

By: Angela Roberts, Assistant AD-Communications
DURANGO, Colo. – The Fort Lewis College women's basketball team will play its final two home games of the season this week as they welcome Black Hills State and South Dakota Mines to Whalen Gym.
Friday will be the annual Student Athlete Academic Recognition Night, followed by Senior Night on Saturday.

Last Time Out
The Skyhawks split last week against Adams State (L, 87-61) and Western Colorado (W, 75-66). In the road loss to Adams State, Fort Lewis shot 40 percent (20-of-50) from the field compared to a 50 percent (29-of-58) clip for Adams State. The Grizzlies were able to make 22 free throws versus 16 for the Skyhawks. Adams State held the edge on defense as well, outrebounding Fort Lewis by 18 and forcing 24 turnovers.

Senior Kelsey Sorenson led the team with 15 points, followed by junior Samantha Wattawa who recorded nine. Four players scored six points in the effort. Junior Avery Evans paced the squad with five rebounds while junior Sadie Misner came away with four steals.

Fort Lewis shot 43.4 percent (23-of-53) from the field compared to a 37.7 percent (20-of-53) mark for Western Colorado. The Mountaineers benefited from 11 made three-pointers versus six for the Skyhawks. Fort Lewis gained an advantage at the free-throw line, making 23 shots compared to 15 for the opposition. The Mountaineers came away with 37 rebounds while the Skyhawks grabbed 31.

Four players reached double figures for Fort Lewis, led by sophomore Lanae Billy who contributed a game-high 23. Sophomore Kate Gallery followed with 13 while Evans ended with 12. Wattawa rounded it out with 10 points and a team-high seven rebounds. Misner led the team with a career-high six assists.

Scouting Black Hills State
The Yellow Jackets are 14-8 on the year and 11-7 in conference play following home losses to UCCS (69-62) and Regis (77-62) last week. As a team, Black Hills State averages 63.9 points per game while holding its opponents to 59.8 points per game. They shoot 40.6 percent from the field and 31.5 percent from beyond the arc. The Yellow Jackets pull down 37.9 rebounds per game and average nine steals per contest.

Despite not having any players averaging double-digit points, Black Hills State benefits from a balanced lineup with nine players putting up at least four points per game. Morgan Hammerbeck leads the way by averaging 9.1 points per game, followed by Kalla Bertram (8.2) and Ellie Moore (8.1). Hammerbeck leads all players with an average of 5.1 rebounds per game, followed by Bertram at 5.0. Bertram rounds out her stat line with 50 steals and 42 assists this season.

When the teams met in early January, Black Hills State captured a 77-74 overtime win on their home court. Billy recorded 28 points, followed by Gallery and Misner who had 15 and 14, respectively.
 
Scouting South Dakota Mines
The Hardrockers are 5-19 on the year and 5-13 in conference play after losing six straight, dating back to a win over CSU Pueblo on January 26. South Dakota Mines averages 59 points per game while allowing 69.4 points per game from their opponents. The team shoots 38.5 percent from the field and 32.2 percent from three. They average 35 rebounds per game and 6.8 steals.

Individually, Piper Bauer leads the team by averaging 16.4 points per game. Savea Mansfield follows with 10.4. points per game. Sydnee Durtsche averages 6.5 rebounds per game to pace the squad, followed by Morning Grace Spotted Bear at 6.3. Madelyn Heiser is the leading assister with 45 this season.

Fort Lewis claimed a key overtime win over South Dakota Mines in early January, running away with a 77-73 road win. Sorenson led the way with 23 points and 10 rebounds. The Skyhawks were 25-of-31 from the free throw line in the win.
Around the RMAC
There have been plenty of shake-ups in the second half of the regular season. Heading into this week's league games, there are five teams fighting for the RMAC title. Regis and UCCS are both 15-4 in conference play, followed by Colorado Mesa, Mines, and Adams State who each have 14-4 records. Fort Lewis sits in ninth place, one game behind Colorado Christian and CSU Pueblo (10-8). In the statistical standings, Fort Lewis ranks seventh in points per game (66.2), seventh in 3-point FGs made (6.4), seventh in scoring defense (64.8), third in free throw percentage (76.6), third in turnover margin (4.79), second in steals (12.83), and second in average home attendance (933).

In the National Ranks
The Skyhawks have seen numerous improvements in year three of the head coach Taylor Harris era. Fort Lewis ranks in the top 20 in three statistical categories with four games remaining in the regular season. The team ranks 14th in steals per game (12.8), 11th in three throw attempts per game (22.62), and 2nd in made free throws per game (17.33). Fort Lewis ranks 10th in NCAA Division II in total home attendance with over 12,000 fans making their way to Whalen Gymnasium this season.

Up Next
Fort Lewis closes out the regular season on the road next week with games against MSU Denver and Colorado School of Mines.
 
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