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Fort Lewis College Athletics

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Trista Hoobler
Kaitlyn Silva

Two home games await Skyhawks women's basketball

1/15/2025 9:57:00 AM

By: Angela Roberts, Associate AD-Communications
DURANGO, Colo. – Skyhawks women's basketball returns home for a Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) showdown against South Dakota Mines and Black Hills State on Thursday and Saturday.

Last Time Out
Fort Lewis split its conference road series against Western Colorado University and Westminster University last week. In the loss to the Mountaineers, Skyhawks shot 33.9 percent (21-of-62) from the field and 30 percent (6-of-20) from three. The Mountaineers were 48.2 percent (27-of-56) from the field and 40 percent (6-of-15) from three. Western Colorado benefited from 36 points in the paint and outrebounded Fort Lewis 45-27. The Skyhawks committed just nine turnovers to mark a season-low while the Mountaineers ended the game with 13.

The Skyhawks turned it around on Saturday with a decisive win over the Griffins—avenging a nonconference loss in the same gym in November. The Skyhawks shot 44.9 percent (31-of-69) from the field and 32 percent (8-of-25) from three. The Griffins shot 31.7 percent (20-of-63) from the field and struggled beyond the arc with a 16.7 percent (4-of-24) clip. Fort Lewis was outrebounded 49-37 thanks to a 17-rebound performance from Maunayia Harrigfeld.

Senior Livia Knapp led the team with 13 points (6-of-9 FG) to go along with four assists. Sophomore Natalie Guanella followed with 12 points (5-of-7 FG) for her third double-digit point performance of the season. Senior Darla Hernandez put up 11 rebounds and seven boards while Eva Kingston led the team with eight rebounds.

Scouting South Dakota Mines
The Hardrockers sit at 2-11 overall and 2-4 in league play following a split at MSU Denver (L, 77-82) and Colorado School of Mines (W, 63-62) last week. South Dakota Mines averages 58 points per game (-13.5) while slashing .358/.296/.718. They outrebound their opponents by averaging 35.8 (+1.1) per game but are hindered by turnovers, committing 18.5 per game.

The team is led by three players averaging double-digit points per game. Morning Grace Spotted Bear is the team leader with 12.5 points per game, closely followed by Piper Bauer (11.8) and Savea Mansfield (11.1). Spotted Bear is also the leading rebounder with over eight per game. Samantha Darnell paces the squad with 34 total assists and five players have double-digit steals this season.

Scouting Black Hills State
The Yellow Jackets have sustained success under first-year head coach Rachel Erickson, matching the program's best-ever start to the season with a 10-3 record. Black Hills State is 6-0 in conference play which is tied for first in the RMAC. The Yellow Jackets have won six in a row following wins over Regis (79-55) and MSU Denver (63-49) last week.

Black Hills State averages 67.8 points per game (+8.4) while slashing .439/.307/.714. Their field goal percentage ranks first in the conference. Traditionally a strong defensive team, the Yellow Jackets pull down 37.6 rebounds per game (+7.8) to go along with 6.7 steals, 2.1 blocks, and 13.5 forced turnovers per game.

Four players average double-digit points per game, led by the duo of Kalla Pertram (14.8) and Haylee Weathersby (14.5). Weathersby is second in the conference in field goal percentage (.571), followed by Bertram in the third spot (.473). Bertram is the leading rebounder at 7.5 per game, followed by Bradie Schlabs (6.3) and Weathersby (6.2). Schlabs is third in the conference in assists per game at 4.8.

Inside the Numbers
There isn't a team in the country that enjoys turning the ball over, and for Fort Lewis, it has been make-or-break this season. The Skyhawks are 0-8 when they turn the ball over more than their opponent. They are 5-1 when the opposite is true. Fort Lewis is averaging 18.4 turnovers per game to rank 13th in the conference.

Senior Darla Hernandez has been a bright spot in her first season in Durango, compiling five double-doubles while averaging 10.2 points and 8.1 rebounds (8th-RMAC) this season. Fort Lewis recently got junior Kayde Strauss back from injury, and in her two games, she is averaging 6.6 points per game. Junior Deniece Ryan has averaged 9.7 points per game while shooting .456 from the field. Sophomore Natalie Guanella is the team's most efficient shooter and has heated up lately with a .605 clip from the field and two double-digit scoring games in her last three appearances.

Up Next
Fort Lewis travels to the Front Range next week for games against Colorado Christian (Jan. 23 at 6 PM) and UCCS (January 25 at 1 PM). It kicks off a series of four-straight road games to wrap up the first month of the year.
 
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