MBB Rankings Graphic, Junior Garbrah - Feb. 27, 2024

Junior Garbrah (3) is averaging 9.8 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game.

Men’s basketball sets new program record, rises to No. 2 in NABC poll

2/27/2024 4:57:00 PM

By: Hayden Mangan, Assistant Director of Athletic Communications

DURANGO, Colo. – For the second time in the 2023-24 season, the Fort Lewis men's basketball squad has set a new program record after ascending to a No. 2 ranking in the latest edition of the National Association of Basketball Coaches Top 25 Coaches Poll, the organization announced on Tuesday.

FLC, now ranked for a program-record 29 consecutive weeks, has now remained in the Top 5 for five straight weeks. FLC stands at 24-2 overall, 19-1 in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action, has won 12 consecutive games for the second time this season, and holds the top seed for the RMAC Tournament with a chance to capture its second-straight regular season league title heading into the final week of regular season play.

Fort Lewis currently ranks 7^th in scoring margin (15.2) and 25^th in total scoring (86.2) while also standing at 8^th in bench scoring (38.5), 8^th in turnover margin (5.9), 16^th in turnovers forced (17.23), and 20^th in steals (9.0) across NCAA Division II.

The Skyhawks are now the highest-ranked team in the South-Central region after West Texas A&M (25-2, 19-1 LSC), who held the No. 1 ranking for five consecutive weeks, drops to No. 4 after suffering its second loss of the season last Saturday.

Colorado Mesa (23-3, 19-1 RMAC) slides down to No. 7 while Dallas Baptist (22-4, 16-4 LSC), who also fell last Saturday, drops down to No. 12. With last night's contest not in play with this week's rankings, Colorado School of Mines (21-7, 15-5 RMAC) climbs to No. 16. In total, the South-Central region features two teams in the Top 5, three in the Top 10, and five within the Top 16.

As for the Division II College Sports Communicators Top 25 Media Poll, the Skyhawks slide down one spot to No. 6 while West Texas A&M remains the South-Central region's front-runner at No. 3. Colorado Mesa moves to No. 9, jumping No. 11 Dallas Baptist in the process. Mines checked in at No. 21 this week.

On deck for the Skyhawks' final week of conference play are MSU Denver (18-8, 12-8 RMAC) and No. 16-ranked Mines this Friday and Saturday. Fort Lewis will open the week with a 7:00 p.m. matchup with the Roadrunners in Auraria Event Center on Friday, Mar. 1, followed by a big-time Top-25 matchup with Mines on Saturday, Mar. 2, at 7:00 p.m. in Lockridge Arena.

Fort Lewis has already secured a first-round home game for the 2024 RMAC Tournament, however, its opponent is still to be determined. The game is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. inside Whalen Gymnasium on Tuesday, Mar. 5. Tickets must be purchased through the RMAC Ticketing site HERE.

FLC Skyhawks Basketball Get Together
In addition, on Saturday, Mar. 2, from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., Fort Lewis College Athletics and the Fort Lewis College Alumni Association are hosting a pre-game basketball get-together at The Golden Mill. Mingle with fellow alumni, friends, donors, and fans, and enjoy food and drinks in beautiful Golden, Colo., before heading over to Lockridge Arena to catch the final men's and women's basketball games of the season. Fans can purchase their tickets HERE.

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