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Lanae Billy
Kaitlyn Silva
Sophomore Lanae Billy (32) has eight 20+ point games this season

Women's basketball returns to the hardwood against CSU Pueblo and Adams State

2/8/2024 10:00:00 AM

By: Angela Roberts, Assistant AD-Communications
DURANGO, Colo. – The Fort Lewis College women's basketball team will continue its schedule on the road with a Friday/Tuesday split against CSU Pueblo and Adams State University.

Last Time Out
The Skyhawks were at home last week, falling to No. 9 Colorado School of Mines (81-62) and MSU Denver (61-55). In the loss to Mines, Fort Lewis shot 41.3 percent (19-of-46) from the field versus a 41.9 percent (26-of-62) clip for the visitors. The Orediggers benefited from 11 three-pointers compared to five for the Skyhawks. The teams combined for 37 free throws with Fort Lewis holding the efficiency advantage at 76 percent. Mines used its elite defense to tally 43 rebounds, including 19 offensive boards.

Sophomore Lanae Billy led all players with 24 points, her eighth 20-plus point outing of the year, to go along with a game-high six steals. Junior Samantha Wattawa followed with a career-high 15 points and seven rebounds. Junior Avery Evans recorded nine points, followed by sophomore Kate Gallery at seven. Mines was led by Ashley Steffeck at 23 points and eight assists.

Against MSU Denver, Fort Lewis was limited shooting just 30 percent (18-of-60) from the field—just shy of a season-low. MSU Denver recorded a field goal percentage of 35.6 (21-of-59). The Skyhawks held an advantage from beyond the arc with seven made threes versus four for the Roadrunners. MSU Denver's defense came away with 51 rebounds while Fort Lewis earned 33. The Skyhawks dished out 11 assists compared to eight for the Roadrunners.

Senior Kelsey Sorenson led the team with 13 points to go along with five steals and three assists. Wattawa picked up her third double-double of the year with 10 points and 11 rebounds. Billy rounded out double-digit scorers for Fort Lewis with 10.

Scouting CSU Pueblo
The Pack is 12-10 overall and 7-7 in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play following a huge win over Regis (83-70) last week. CSU Pueblo owns a 9-2 record at home in Massari Arena. On the year, the Pack is averaging 65.4 points per game, slightly better than the 64.4 points per game allowed. CSU Pueblo shoots 40.3 percent from the field, 28.8 percent from three, and 72.9 percent at the stripe. They match their opponents by averaging 37.3 rebounds per game.

Individually, Alisha Little leads the team with 20 points per game (1st-RMAC) and 11.2 rebounds per game (2nd-RMAC). Little leads the league with 3.1 blocks per game. In the rebounding category, Autumn Watts follows little by averaging 9.9 per game. Tomia Johnson paces the squad with 84 assists and 49 steals.

Fort Lewis earned a win over the Pack, 65-59, in early December. Sorenson led the way with 14 points. In the all-time series, the Skyhawks trail 11-15. Fort Lewis is 4-9 against CSU Pueblo when playing on the road.

Scouting Adams State University
The Grizzlies are 15-7 overall and 10-4 in conference play following a split last week. Adams State opened the week with an 86-82 overtime loss to MSU Denver before pulling off a 69-68 upset win over No. 9 Mines on Saturday. The Grizzlies average 64 points per game versus a 64.5 points per game mark from their opponents. They shoot 43.3 percent from the field, 37.3 percent from three, and 77.7 percent from the free throw line.

The team is led by Harmanie Dominguez who averages 17.7 points per game, followed by Riahana Davis (12.3) and Kiiyani Anitielu (10.5) who each average double-digit points. Dominguez is also the leading rebounder at 4.4 per game, followed by Davis at 4.3. Angelline Nageak leads the team with 78 assists to go along with 66 steals.

When the teams met in Whalen Gym in early December, the Grizzlies ran away with a 76-56 win over the Skyhawks. Billy was the lone Fort Lewis play in double-figures with 22 points, and the teams combined for 52 turnovers.

Around the RMAC
Mines leads the conference ranks with an 18-3 overall record and a 13-2 mark in league play, Regis (17-4, 12-3 RMAC) and Colorado Mesa (17-4, 11-3 RMAC). Fort Lewis sits in seventh with a record of 8-7 in conference play. In the statistical standings, Fort Lewis ranks seventh in points per game (66.1), seventh in 3-point FGs made (6.5), fifth in scoring defense (63.3), third in free throw percentage (77.0), third in turnover margin (5.10), second in steals (12.86), and first in attendance (928).

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 four statistical categories with seven games remaining in the regular season. The team ranks 19th in free throw percentage (77.0), 14th in free throw attempts per game (22.2), 12th in steals per game (12.9), and leads the country in free throws made per game (17.1). Fort Lewis ranks eighth in NCAA Division II in home attendance with over 11,000 fans making their way into Whalen Gymnasium this season.

Inside the Numbers
Fort Lewis is led by sophomore Lanae Billy who is averaging 16.4 points per game (8th RMAC), followed by senior Kelsey Sorenson who is putting up 12.7 per game (14th RMAC). From there, six players average over five points per game. Junior Samantha Wattawa leads the team with 6.2 rebounds per game (13th RMAC). Billy leads the team and ranks second in the conference with a 3.1 steals per game average (3rd in RMAC), 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.

Up Next
Fort Lewis will be home for a lone Saturday contest on February 17th. The team will face Western Colorado University for its annual Pink Game, presented by CommonSpirit, Alpine Bank, and the Wells Group. Fans are encouraged to wear pink in support of cancers affecting women.
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