DURANGO, Colo. – The Fort Lewis College women's basketball team is headed to the conference tournament for the first time since 2018 and will travel to face No. 2-seeded University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) in the RMAC Tournament quarterfinals on Tuesday.
How We Got Here
Fort Lewis entered the final two weeks of conference play on the bubble after four consecutive road losses to quality opponents. The Skyhawks responded with a four-game winning streak to close the regular season, defeating Chadron State (67-46), South Dakota Mines (62-56), CSU Pueblo (53-49), and Colorado Christian (85-58) to secure the No. 7 seed.
At 18-10 overall, Fort Lewis has recorded its highest win total since the 2017-18 season, when the team finished 20-9 (14-8 RMAC). In just her second year leading the program, head coach Lauren Zuniga has tripled last season's six-win total.
Defense Wins Championships
Fort Lewis' defensive pressure has been central to its postseason push. The Skyhawks rank 14th in NCAA Division II in steals per game (13.3) and 22nd in turnovers forced per game (22.18).
Four players rank among the RMAC's top 16 in steals per game, led by sophomore Katie Lamb at 2.2 per contest. Junior Makaya Porter anchors the interior defense, ranking second in the conference with 1.2 blocks per game.
Scouting No. 2 UCCS
The Mountain Lions enter the tournament at 19-9 overall and 15-5 in conference play, closing the regular season on a five-game winning streak. UCCS is 11-3 at home and brings postseason experience after winning last year's RMAC Tournament title and advancing to the NCAA Tournament.
Amyah Moore Allen, a fifth-year standout, leads the team with 20.4 points per game while also averaging 5.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 2.2 steals, and 1.1 blocks. Ayianna Johnson adds 12.8 points per game on .544 shooting, and Jayla Jackson-Allen contributes 10.4 points per contest.
The two teams met on January 24 at Whalen Gymnasium, where UCCS earned a 75-68 comeback win. The Mountain Lions outscored Fort Lewis 44-24 in the second half. Moore Allen scored 28 points, while Lamb led the Skyhawks with 16.
Win or Go Home
Tuesday's quarterfinal is a single-elimination contest. The winner advances to the RMAC Tournament semifinals on Friday, March 6, hosted by the highest remaining seed. The championship game is scheduled for Saturday, March 7.
