Western Colo. WC 6-17,4-12 RMAC

Fort Lewis FLC 16-9,10-6 RMAC

Western Colo. WC

6-17,4-12 RMAC

Final

Feb. 16, 2025

Fort Lewis FLC

16-9,10-6 RMAC

Score By Periods
Team	1	2	F
Western Colo. WC	28	33	61
Fort Lewis FLC	31	45	76

Summary
Box Score

Kaitlyn Silva

Tristan Moore (13) fires a three-pointer against the Grizzlies in Whalen Gymnasium (Feb. 4, 2025).

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | 2/16/2025 5:36:00 PM | Hayden Mangan, Assistant AD-Communications & Fan Engagement

Men’s basketball gets back on track with physical win over Western Colorado

Fort Lewis wins ninth-straight over Western Colorado

DURANGO, Colo. – Fort Lewis (16-9, 10-6 RMAC) took advantage of 17 points off of 17 turnovers, won off the glass 42 to 36, and shot over 75 percent at the free throw line to key in a bounce-back victory over Western Colorado (6-17, 4-12 RMAC) in rare Sunday afternoon contest in Whalen Gymnasium.

The Skyhawks now need a single win, or a loss from both Colorado Christian (10-14, 6-10 RMAC) and Westminster (12-12, 6-10 RMAC), to clinch a berth in the 2025 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament. Fort Lewis is seeking its fifth straight trip to the conference tournament.

"I felt that our attention to detail and effort was there early, but then there was a lull right before the half where we didn't take winning shots, which led to us not being set on the defensive end, and credit to Western Colorado for taking full advantage," head coach Jordan Mast commented. "I thought some guys, who haven't been playing a lot, came in and did all of the little things that we feel lead to winning, and I thought that's what stretched our game. Today, I want to give credit to the Nathan Penney's, the Tristan Moore's, guys that have waited their time, came in, and did everything they needed to do to win."

Fort Lewis responded to Thursday night's loss by improving key factors, including winning off the glass, knocking down 28 free throws in 37 attempts (75.7 percent), and holding Western Colorado to 38.9 percent shooting (21-54) across the afternoon. FLC shot just 36.1 percent (22-61) for the contest.

Senior forward Chuol Deng led four Skyhawks to finish in double-figures with an 18-point, 13-rebound double-double, his seventh of the season, on 3-of-8 shooting with a career-high 12 made free throws in 14 attempts. Fifth-year guard Tru Allen and freshman guard AJ Riggs poured in another 11 points each, and senior guard Biko Johnson a final 10 points.

Freshman Stewart Erhart and junior Cassius Carmichael maintained Fort Lewis' high-pressure defense, picking up a game-high four steals apiece, aiding in the Skyhawks 17 points off of turnovers.

Senior guard Kade Juelfs led the charge for the Mountaineers, scoring a game-high 20 points on 7-of-14 shooting with a 4-of-8 clip from deep. Junior guard Christian Still, who went for a career-high 25 points in the two team's previous meeting back on Jan. 9, scored 15 points on 5-of-10 shooting with a 3-of-5 mark from behind the line as the only other WCU player in double figures.

While the Skyhawks edged the Mountaineers on points in the paint 32 to 24, Fort Lewis most notably found great success outside of its starting five, registering 31 points off the bench to WCU's three. FLC was just 22.2 percent (4-of-18) from the three-point line.

Notes
-Fort Lewis picks up its nine-straight win over Western Colorado to lead the Mountaineers 89-40 all-time and 46-9 in Durango, Colo.
-Senior forward Chuol Deng recorded his seventh double-double of the season with 18 points and 13 rebounds.
-The Skyhawks are now averaging a dominant 12.7 steals per game, a mark that stands alone atop NCAA Division I and Division II.
-FLC needs just one win to make its fifth consecutive trip to the RMAC Tournament.

Up Next
Fort Lewis will close out its 2024-25 regular-season home schedule next week with the Skyhawks welcoming CSU Pueblo (10-14, 5-11 RMAC) for a 7:30 p.m. tilt on Thursday, Feb. 20, followed by Colorado Christian on Saturday, Feb. 22, at 3 p.m.

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