Defense was the strength, offense was the struggle, at least through the first half of the season for the Fort Lewis College women’s basketball team.
So, Friday night, the Skyhawks used their stout defense to create better chances for their offense.
FLC (7-5, 4-4 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) forced 22 turnovers – 16 of which were FLC steals – by the New Mexico Highlands Cowgirls (4-9, 3-6 RMAC), and those directly led to 20 points. That helped the Skyhawks shoot 43.3 percent from the field en route to a 75-55 home win at Whalen Gymnasium.
“I think it was because of our defense. That’s a theme for us this year,” FLC head coach Jason Flores said when asked about the team’s improved offensive performance. “We’re a good defensive team. It led to offense for us (Friday night), and I think we started well.”
FLC entered the game as the second-best scoring defense in the RMAC and had held opponents to the worst shooting percentage in the conference. That trend continued against the Cowgirls, who shot 32.8 percent from the field. Anngelina Sanchez was the lone Cowgirl in double-digit scoring with 13 points.
The Skyhawks led 31-23 at halftime, though they led only 25-22 with 4 minutes, 35 seconds to go in the half. Senior forward Kaile Magazzeni sparked the team with several steals and 10 points in the first half. She finished with a game-high 16 points to go with four rebounds, three steals and two blocked shots.
During one stretch early in the first half, the Skyhawks stole the ball on three consecutive N.M. Highlands possessions, with Magazzeni stealing the ball twice and running the floor for easy layups.
“This whole week, we’ve been practicing really well together,” Magazzeni said. “I wasn’t surprised we were able to come out. We were connecting better, and it made for an easier game.”
FLC junior forward Mary Brinton of Pagosa Springs added 14 points, nine rebounds and two blocks. Skylyn Webb of Delta added 13 points on 5-of-8 shooting, and she also stole the ball twice.
Transfer guard Kate Bayes added 11 points on 4-of-6 shooting for a well-rounded FLC attack.
“We play defense, we rebound, and if we start scoring and we have spread-out scoring, then we’re gonna be dangerous,” Flores said.
FLC dominated the game inside the paint, outscoring the Cowgirls 36-16 and outrebounding them 46-37.
“It seems like almost every time it would come into the post, it either was an open shot or like an easy move, or we had a great dive pass. Something was available,” Magazzeni said. “I think that definitely one of the keys to winning was getting in the post.”
But the Skyhawks struggled with turnovers of their own, committing 21 in the game.
“We hit a stretch where we played really well, and then we let off the gas and got stagnant,” Flores said.
The Skyhawks will face the top scoring defense in the RMAC at 5:30 p.m. Saturday night, when they host the Western New Mexico Mustangs. Fans will receive $2 off admission if they bring a canned food item, which will be donated to the Manna Soup Kitchen.
“We would love to see as many fans come out and support good basketball and a good cause,” Flores said.
Western N.M. (6-6, 4-5 RMAC) defeated Adams State 70-63 on Friday night. Magazzeni said she expects a physical game, with staying out of foul trouble being a key.
Brinton said FLC’s offense can find a way past the Mustangs’ half-court defense.
“All five of us can run the floor. They’re more of a half-court defense and will try to stop us there. If we get out and push in transition, that’s easy buckets,” Brinton said.
jlivingston@durangoherald.com
