DURANGO, Colo. – The Fort Lewis College women's basketball team opens the new year riding a two-game nonconference winning streak and will look to carry that momentum into the return of Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play beginning Thursday.
 

Hot Start to 2026

The Skyhawks enter 2026 with a 9-3 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 16 regular-season games still 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 14.3 steals per game—ranking first in the RMAC and 16th nationally in NCAA Division II. Josie Davis (2.4), Makaya Porter (2.1), and Natalie Guanella (2.1) 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 Western Colorado University

Western Colorado enters the week at 5-5 overall and 3-1 in RMAC play, with its lone conference loss coming to Colorado Christian (67-57). The Mountaineers closed the nonconference portion of their schedule with losses to Washburn (59-43) and No. 12 Pittsburg State (70-67, OT). Last season, Western Colorado finished 21-8 overall, went 15-5 in league play, and advanced to the second round of the RMAC Tournament.

The Mountaineers average 62.3 points per game while shooting .407 from the field. They connect on 6.8 three-pointers and 11.7 free throws per contest. Defensively, Western Colorado averages 38.3 rebounds, 5.6 steals, and 2.9 blocks per game.

Senior Ivey Schmidt leads the team with 18.8 points per game while shooting .391 from the field and .421 from three-point range. Schmidt also leads the team in rebounding at 7.2 per game. Jayda Maves adds 13.1 points per game, while Alyssa Eckroth contributes 10.8.

Fort Lewis holds a 22-9 advantage in the all-time series, including a 9-5 mark in Whalen Gymnasium. However, the Skyhawks dropped both meetings against the Mountaineers last season.
 

Scouting Westminster University

Westminster enters the weekend with a 3-7 overall record and is still seeking its first RMAC win at 0-4. The Griffins split their most recent games, highlighted by a 70-60 win over Seattle Pacific on Dec. 19. Westminster finished last season 6-21 overall and 5-15 in conference play, including a 2-9 road record.

The Griffins average 64.0 points per game while allowing 71.1. They shoot .411 from the field, .260 from three-point range, and .657 from the free-throw line, while averaging 4.4 made threes per game. Westminster holds a rebounding advantage over opponents at 37.7 per game (+4.1) but struggles with ball security, averaging 18.3 turnovers per contest.

Teuila Nawahine leads the team with 13.6 points per game, followed by Ellie Mitchell at 11.3. Madison Anderson also scores in double figures at 11.1 points per game and leads the team with a .536 shooting percentage. Emily Evans tops the rebounding chart at 6.7 per game, with three Griffins averaging at least six boards.

Fort Lewis leads the all-time series 12-7, including a 6-3 record at home. The teams split last season's meetings, both of which were played in Salt Lake City.
 

Up Next

Fort Lewis heads on the road next week for its only away games of January, traveling to South Dakota Mines and Black Hills State for another Thursday/Saturday RMAC slate.