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Fort Lewis College Athletics

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Natalie Guanella
Kaitlyn Silva

Women's basketball begins road stretch versus CCU and UCCS

1/22/2025 12:00:00 PM

By: Angela Roberts, Associate AD-Communications
DURANGO, Colo. – Life on the road awaits the Skyhawks women's basketball squad as it embarks on its first of two-straight Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference travel weeks, first with games against Colorado Christian University and UCCS.

Last Time Out
It was a disappointing week at home for Fort Lewis with a pair of losses to South Dakota Mines (88-74) and Black Hills State (61-43). In the loss to South Dakota Mines, the Hardrockers shot 49.2 percent (31-of-63) from the field and 31.8 percent (7-of-22) from three. The visitors benefited from 19 made free throws, including 15 in the fourth quarter, which fueled the win. The Skyhawks shot 43.9 percent (29-of-66) from the field and 25 percent (4-of-16) from three while dropping in 12 free throws. Fort Lewis grabbed 30 rebounds and had an even assist-to-turnover ratio with 15 of each. South Dakota Mines used its size to tally 43 rebounds.

Junior Deniece Ryan led the team with 18 points (9-of-17 FG), followed by senior Livia Knapp who scored 16. The duo of senior Darla Hernandez and freshman Katie Lamb combined for 26 points. Lamb added four steals and five rebounds to her stat line while junior Eva Kingston led the team with eight rebounds.

On Saturday against Black Hills State, the Skyhawks shot just 28.3 percent (17-of-60) from the field to mark a season-low. The Yellow Jackets had a solid shooting night with a 41.8 percent (23-of-55) clip from the field. Fort Lewis was especially inefficient from deep where it shot just 5.6 percent (1-of-18)—the fewest three-pointers made in a game since the 2019-20 season.

Another piece of Black Hills State's stifling defense came off the glass, where they outrebounded Fort Lewis 50-26. The Skyhawks were the better ball-handling team, though, with just eight turnovers compared to 18 for the Yellow Jackets. Black Hills State was credited with 16 assists to just seven for Fort Lewis.

Due to injury, the Skyhawks played with a short bench and struggled to find a rhythm. Senior Darla Hernandez was the lone player to reach double-digit points at 10, followed by seven from sophomore Trista Hoobler. Sophomore Natalie Guanella paced the squad with a career-high eight rebounds, and senior Livia Knapp added four steals.

Inside the Numbers
We're at the midway point in the season, and it's time to take a look at where Fort Lewis stacks up statistically in the RMAC. Out of 15 teams, the Skyhawks rank 13th in points per game (62.1), 6th in points allowed per game (64.4), 5th in FG% (.396), 12th in 3PT FG% (.278), 7th in free throw % (.718), 14th in rebounding (33.3), 12th in turnovers per game (17.6), 14th in blocks per game (1.13), 5th in steals per game (9.94), and 11th in assists per game (12.19).

They do not have an individual who ranks in the top 25 in scoring, but Hernandez is 10th in rebounds per game (7.7). Lamb is 14th in three-pointers per game (1.6) and Knapp ranks 18th in assists per game (2.5). Lamb (12th, 1.8), Knapp (15th, 1.6), and Ryan (20th, 1.6) represent Fort Lewis in steals per game.

Scouting Colorado Christian
The Cougars are 4-12 on the year and 2-6 in conference play to sit in a three-way tie with Fort Lewis and Westminster for 12th in the RMAC. Last week they dropped a narrow 68-66 contest to MSU Denver before pulling out a 74-61 win against Mines on Saturday. Colorado Christian is struggling in the wake of All-Region honoree Maggie Hutka's departure from the roster after four games. She has since committed to play for the University of Montana beginning next season.

Colorado Christian is averaging 63.5 points per game while slashing .383/.323/.802. The team combines for 33.8 rebounds per game to go along with 13.3 assists, 8.3 steals, and 13.5 turnovers per game. Individually, Elise Grosdidier has led the team by averaging 15 points per game. Her numbers are reflective of just three games played, starting on January 9, and a 28-point performance on Saturday against Mines. Nicole Bowlin follows with a 12.3 points per game average, followed by Victoria Perez at 10.1 per game. Dasiya Jones leads the team and ranks 5th in the conference with 9.4 rebounds per game. Bowlin and Perez have combined for 96 assists and 54 steals this season.

Fort Lewis earned a win at home over Colorado Christian last season by a final score of 70-64. The Skyhawks shot 39.6 percent and were 23-of-30 from the free throw line, including 12 makes in the fourth quarter to secure the win.

Scouting UCCS
The Mountain Lions are 8-7 overall and an even 4-4 in conference play following a split against Regis (W, 78-73) and MSU Denver (L, 69-68) last week. In the narrow loss to the Roadrunners, the Mountain Lions held the lead into the final four minutes of play before a layup in the final second ended the game.

UCCS averages 63.7 points per game (+.3) while slashing .391/.287/.649. They average 35.5 rebounds per game to go along with 11.2 assists, 14.5 turnovers, and 8.1 steals. Individually, Amyah Moore Allen leads all players with 17.5 points per game (4th RMAC) while shooting .472 from the field (3rd RMAC). Maison White follows by averaging 12 points per game to go along with 10.2 rebounds per game (3rd RMAC). On the defensive side of the ball, the next leading rebounder is Moore Allen at three per game. She happens to be a stat stuffer and also leads the team in assists (45), steals (36), and blocks (13.)

Fort Lewis has lost five straight games to UCCS, including a 77-62 road loss last season.

Up Next
Fort Lewis is back on the road next week with games against Colorado School of Mines and MSU Denver. The Skyhawks clash with the Orediggers on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. inside of Lockridge Arena and wrap up the week on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. against the Roadrunners.
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