PUEBLO, Colo. – With postseason implications on the line for both programs, the Fort Lewis College women's basketball team delivered in a high-pressure road environment, grinding out a 53-49 victory over Colorado State University Pueblo to secure a berth in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) Tournament.
The Skyhawks improved to 17-10 overall and 10-9 in RMAC play, while the ThunderWolves fell to 13-14 on the season and 9-10 in conference action. The win moved Fort Lewis into seventh place in the league standings with one game remaining. The Skyhawks also hold key tiebreaker advantages over teams below them in the standings, including Colorado School of Mines and New Mexico Highlands University.
In a defensive battle throughout, Fort Lewis shot 40.4 percent from the field but just 7.1 percent from three-point range, while converting 14 free throws. CSU Pueblo shot 33.3 percent from the floor and 23.8 percent from beyond the arc, finishing with 10 made free throws. The Skyhawks' defensive pressure proved decisive, forcing 22 turnovers and collecting 15 steals. Fort Lewis also held a narrow 36-33 edge on the glass.
Junior Natalie Guanella paced the offense with 11 points, marking her third consecutive double-digit performance. Freshman Alemaualii Fonoti added eight points. Junior Makaya Porter led the team with eight rebounds, while senior Ashten Martinez contributed six boards. Seven different Skyhawks recorded at least one steal in the victory.
Fort Lewis opened the contest with immediate energy, taking a 4-0 lead in the first 30 seconds behind baskets from Palacio Gámez and Guanella. CSU Pueblo responded to tie the game before the Skyhawks regained momentum with a 5-0 run for a 9-4 advantage. The ThunderWolves answered with a run of their own to take an 11-9 lead midway through the first quarter. Porter's tip-in following a media timeout evened the score at 11-11, but CSU Pueblo capitalized on turnovers late to take a 13-12 edge into the second quarter.
Palacio Gámez and Martinez opened the second period with consecutive baskets to restore a Fort Lewis lead. The teams continued to trade possessions before Guanella sparked a key stretch, forcing a turnover and converting the ensuing layup to tie the game at 20-20. She later broke the tie at the free-throw line, and Fonoti added a layup to extend the lead to four. After a prolonged scoring drought, CSU Pueblo drained a three-pointer with 1:56 remaining in the half to cut the deficit to one. Fort Lewis closed the quarter strong, capitalizing on two late ThunderWolves turnovers to take a 28-23 halftime lead.
CSU Pueblo opened the third quarter with a 4-0 run before free throws from Lamb halted the momentum. The ThunderWolves tied the game on a three-pointer, but Davis converted a layup off a feed from Martinez to reclaim the lead. Fort Lewis extended its advantage to six late in the quarter, though CSU Pueblo responded with five straight points to trim the margin to 42-41. Fonoti added a free throw in the closing seconds to give the Skyhawks a 43-41 lead entering the fourth.
The ThunderWolves tied the game early in the final frame, but Fort Lewis answered with a 5-0 burst to take a 48-43 lead with 7:17 remaining. Another defensive stretch followed before CSU Pueblo battled back, eventually tying the score at 48-48. Dotray's free throw gave the Skyhawks a brief 49-48 edge with 2:34 to play.
After a defensive stop and timeout, CSU Pueblo went 1-of-2 at the line to even the score at 49-49 with 37 seconds remaining. Martinez responded on the ensuing possession, finishing a layup with 12 seconds left to put Fort Lewis ahead 51-49. The ThunderWolves missed a three-pointer on their next trip, and Lamb secured the rebound before sealing the game with two free throws. A final CSU Pueblo attempt from beyond the arc fell short at the buzzer, securing the 53-49 win and clinching the Skyhawks' postseason berth.
Fort Lewis (17-10, 10-9 RMAC) will close out the regular season Saturday against Colorado Christian University. Tip-off is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. in Lakewood.
