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Kaitlyn Silva

Women's basketball continues conference play on the road

1/14/2026 10:39:00 AM

By: Angela Roberts, Associate AD - Communications
DURANGO, Colo. – Skyhawks women's basketball hits the road for the only time in January this week when they head to South Dakota for games against South Dakota Mines and Black Hills State.

Hot Start to 2026
The Skyhawks enter 2026 with a 10-4 overall record, marking the program's best start since the 2019-20 season, when Fort Lewis began 10-2 through its first 12 games. In her second season at the helm, head coach Lauren Zuniga has already surpassed her win total from year one (six victories), with 14 regular-season games remaining.

Strength in Balance
Balance on both ends of the floor has defined Fort Lewis' success this season. Offensively, seven Skyhawks are averaging at least six points per game, including three players scoring in double figures. This production has come despite the limited availability of returning All-Conference selection Deniece Ryan, who has appeared in just five games due to a lingering injury.

That balance extends to the defensive end as well. Five players average four or more rebounds per game, including two freshmen and two first-year Skyhawks. Fort Lewis' defensive pressure has also translated into strong ball control, as the team averages 14.2 steals per game—ranking first in the RMAC and 15th nationally in NCAA Division II. Josie Davis (2.2), Makaya Porter (2.2), and Natalie Guanella (1.9) pace the team in steals, while Porter also leads the conference with 1.3 blocks per game.

Top Moments (So Far…)
The season has already produced several standout performances, including:
  • Nov. 22 – 62-61 win at Angelo State
    • Fort Lewis outscored the Belles 26-17 in the fourth quarter, capped by Katie Lamb's game-winning three-pointer with eight seconds remaining.
  • Dec. 9 – 74-71 win over New Mexico Highlands
    • The Skyhawks closed the game on a 25-12 fourth-quarter run and received double-digit scoring from six players.
  • Dec. 18 – 60-53 win over UT Tyler
    • Freshman Josie Davis recorded an 18-point, 10-rebound double-double to lead Fort Lewis to its first win over UT Tyler in program history.
Scouting South Dakota Mines
The Hardrockers enter Thursday's contest with a 6-8 overall record and a 4-2 mark in conference play. They are coming off a split last week with a win over MSU Denver (82-68) and a loss to Colorado School of Mines (78-76). South Dakota Mines' Savea Mansfield was named the RMAC Offensive Player of the Week after averaging 30 points per game last week.

As a team, South Dakota Mines averages 66.6 points per game while shooting .406 from the field. The Hardrockers average seven three-pointers and 13.3 free throws per game. They are rebounding at a 30.7 per game clip (-4.9) go to along with 8.4 steals and 14.4 assists per game.

Mansfield is the leading scorer with 19.1 points per game on a .545 efficiency from the floor, followed by Morning Grace Spotted Bear's 13.4 points per game average. Spotted Bear is the leading rebounder at 6.5 per game to go along with a team-best 23 steals. Carolina Ruiz Molina leads the team with 39 assists while ranking second in total turnovers at 34.

Scouting Black Hills State
The Yellow Jackets are 8-5 overall and 5-1 in conference play, enjoying a seven-game winning streak. The last loss for BHSU came on December 2 at the hands of South Dakota Mines in a 64-62 final. The Yellow Jackets are a young team with just two upperclassmen guiding a group of seven sophomores and seven freshmen.

The season, BHSU is averaging 71.8 points per game while holding its opponents to 51.4 per game. The team shoots .413 from the field, .303 from three, and .667 from the stripe. As a historically tough defensive team, it's no surprise that the Yellow Jackets outrebound the opposition by a 15.5 rebounds per game margin while leading the conference with 45.5 per game.

Individually, Addison Branscum is leading the way with 11 points per game, followed by Sawyer Stoebner with 10 per game. Stoebner gets to the free throw line more than any other player on the roster with 30 makes in 49 chances (.612). Stoebner is the leading rebounder with 6.4 per game, followed by Audrey Norville (5.7) and Branscum (5.5).
 
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