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Malachi Coleman vs. Northern New Mexico
Kaitlyn Silva
Malachi Coleman (0) rises up for the one-handed jam against the Eagles in Whalen Gymnasium (Nov. 16, 2024).

Skyhawks look to rebound at home against South Dakota Mines, Black Hills State

1/15/2025 11:15:00 AM

By: Hayden Mangan, Assistant AD-Communications & Fan Engagement
Fort Lewis vs. South Dakota Mines
Thursday, Jan. 16, 7:30 p.m. | Whalen Gymnasium | Durango, Colo.
Watch | Live Stats | Tickets
 
Fort Lewis vs. Black Hills State
Saturday, Jan. 17, 3 p.m. | Whalen Gymnasium | Durango, Colo.
Watch | Live Stats | Tickets
 
DURANGO, Colo. – Following a 1-1 start to the new year, the Fort Lewis men's basketball team (9-6, 3-3 RMAC) looks to return to its winning ways from the comforts of Whalen Gymnasium this Thursday and Saturday as the Skyhawks host South Dakota Mines (1-13, 1-5 RMAC) and Black Hills State (8-6, 4-2 RMAC).
 
Themes and Promotions
Thursday night will be Fort Lewis' Resident Hall Challenge, presented by the Durango & Silverton Narrow Guage Railroad. Skyhawks students can receive a raffle ticket upon entry for a chance to win a pair of prizes at each men's and women's halftime. Saturday will be the annual White Out game presented by Durango Motor Company and Agave Durango. A limited number of t-shirts will be available for the first fans to arrive.
 
Chaos Ball
While Fort Lewis is still finding its rhythm offensively, one thing is certain: they'll force you to turn it over. The Skyhawks dominate the RMAC in turnover margin at +5.07 per game while ranking 9th in Division II, forcing 19.93 turnovers per game. In addition, Biko Johnson, Stewart Erhart, and Malachi Coleman are the top three players in the league, nabbing 2.1, 1.8, and 1.7 steals per game, respectively. Fort Lewis is 7th in DII with 12.0 steals per game.
 
RMAC Leaders
Johnson, a six-foot-two guard, ranks second in the RMAC and 108th in DII, averaging 16.8 points per game on 39.3 percent shooting. Johnson and Tru Allen, who adds 13.2 points and 3.3 assists per game, are also first and second in the league in made free throws with 66 and 60, respectively. Chuol Deng continues to dominate on both ends of the floor, ranking 16th in scoring with 13.2 points per game on 41.2 percent shooting while also ranking second in rebounding (8.5 reb/game), third in blocked shots (1.4 blk/game), and 25th in steals (1.1 stl/game).
 
Scouting the Hardrockers
South Dakota Mines is riding a six-game losing streak after picking up its only win of the season over cross-state rival Black Hills State, 58-50, back on Dec. 3, 2024. The Hardrockers were outshot 38.3 percent to 38.2 percent but out-rebounded BHSU 36-25 while holding the Yellow Jackets to 23.1 percent shooting from deep and just 20 points in the second half.

Freshman guard Tre Dowdell, a six-foot-three product of Evergreen Park High School in Evergreen Park, Illinois, narrowly leads the offense with 10.9 points per game on 42.3 percent shooting from the field. Keagan Smith follows closely behind with 10.7 points per game and leads the roster with 4.6 rebounds per game and seven blocks on the year. As a unit, the Hardrockers rank last in offense (55.4 pts/game) while sitting fourth in defense allowing 68.7 points per game.
 
 Scouting the Yellow Jackets
Black Hills State will look to bounce back this week after its four-game win streak was snapped last Saturday on an 84-77 loss at home to No. 22/RV MSU Denver (12-2, 6-0 RMAC). Three of the Yellow Jackets' six total losses this season have come against teams that have been ranked or receiving votes on the national polls.
 
Four players average double figures for BHSU, including Caelin Hearne (16.0 pts/game), Cam Lowe (14.1 pts/game), Jaeton Hackley (11.5 pts/game), and former Skyhawk Tristan Hurdle (10.7 pts/game). The quartet gives Black Hills State the sixth-best offense and fifth-best defense in the league, putting up 77.9 points per game against 69.4 points allowed per game. In addition, The Yellow Jackets are firing off at 47.7 percent from the field while holding opponents to a league-best 40.4 percent shooting.
 
Up Next
Fort Lewis will head back out to the Front Range next week for a pair of road games at Colorado Christian (7-7, 3-3 RMAC) on Thursday, Jan. 23, at 8 p.m. followed by UCCS (10-4, 4-2 RMAC) on Saturday, Jan. 25, at 3 p.m.
 
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