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Makaya Porter
Kaitlyn Silva

Women's basketball continues home stretch against Mines and MSU Denver

Fans are encouraged to wear black on Thursday and white on Saturday

1/28/2026 11:13:00 AM

By: Angela Roberts, Associate AD - Communications
DURANGO, Colo. – The Fort Lewis College women's basketball team will enjoy another week in front of its home crowd when it welcomes Colorado School of Mines and MSU Denver to Whalen Gymnasium for a Thursday/Saturday split.

Last Time Out
The Skyhawks were 1-1 last week at home, earning an 81-71 win over Colorado Christian before falling to UCCS by a 75-68 final. In the win over the Cougars, Fort Lewis shot 49.1 percent from the field—its second-best mark of the season—and knocked down 48 percent from beyond the arc. The Skyhawks connected on 12 three-pointers, marking the third time this season they have reached double figures from long range. Colorado Christian held an edge at the free-throw line, making 20 shots compared to 15 for Fort Lewis.

In the loss to UCCS on Saturday, Fort Lewis shot 40.7 percent from the field and 41.2 percent from three-point range, highlighted by a 7-of-9 performance from beyond the arc in the first half. UCCS finished at 41.7 percent shooting and capitalized at the free-throw line with 32 makes. The Skyhawks held a narrow 37-34 edge on the glass but committed 21 turnovers and were blocked eight times.

Strength in Balance
Balance on both ends of the floor has defined Fort Lewis' success this season. Offensively, six 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. Four players average five 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 13.6 steals per game—ranking first in the RMAC and 14th nationally in NCAA Division II. Makaya Porter (2.3), Katie Lamb (2.1), and Josie Davis (2.0) pace the team in steals, while Porter also leads the conference with 1.4 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.
  • Jan. 22 – 81-71 win over Colorado Christian
    • Sophomore Claudia Palacio Gámez shattered her previous career-high with 27 points after going 6-of-7 from three-point range.

Scouting Colorado School of Mines
The Orediggers sit at 12-9 overall with a 7-3 record in conference play. Mines had won eight in a row before falling to MSU Denver (72-59) on Saturday.

As a team, Mines is averaging 69.1 points per game while shooting 41.1 percent from the field. The Orediggers average over seven three-pointers per game to go along with a free-throw percentage of 72.3. Defensively, they pull down 38 rebounds per game and grab 10.4 steals per game.

Sofia Baldessari leads the team by averaging 19 points per game, a mark that ranks third in the conference. Baldessari is coming off games four-straight 20+ point games, including a pair of 30-point outings. She also leads the team with 7.9 rebounds per game to rank fourth in the RMAC. In the scoring category, she is backed up by Jenna Shandy at 12.1 points per game and Emma Sixta's 11.9 points per game.
 
Scouting MSU Denver
The Roadrunners enter this week's play with a 7-11 record and a 5-5 mark in conference play. MSU Denver is 3-1 in its last four games, including wins over Regis (83-73) and Mines (72-59) last week. Fort Lewis and MSU Denver opened RMAC play against each other on December 4 with the Roadrunners capturing a 95-81 win on the campus of the University of Denver.

As a team, the Roadrunners average 72.7 points per game while slashing .420/.347/.789. On the glass, MSU Denver comes away with 36.2 rebounds (-5.1). The Roadrunners average 9.2 steals, 3.2 blocks, and 13.3 assists per game.

Three players average double-digit points, led by Mikylah Espinosa at 16.6 per game. Nevaeh Millard and Jadyn Watts follow with 13.2 and 10.8 points per game, respectively. Watts is the leading rebounder at 6.7 per game, followed by Keira Mitchell (6.5) and Brianna Sealy (6.2).

Life on the Road
Fort Lewis begins a four-game road stretch next week at Adams State and New Mexico Highlands for another Thursday/Saturday split. Then, the Skyhawks return to the road the following week to take on No. 7 Colorado Mesa and Western Colorado.
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