Shooting only 28 percent from the field at halftime after a horrid 1-for-11 start, the Fort Lewis College women’s basketball team was eager to find any sense of rhythm. The Skyhawks more than found their stride in the second half.
FLC outscored the Metro State Roadrunners 44-31 in the second half to surge ahead for a 69-59 road win Friday night in Denver. It was the seventh consecutive win for the young Skyhawks, who have stunned the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference with a 12-2 overall record and 7-2 mark in conference.
“I thought we would be able to turn into a good team at some point this year, but they started right off the bat,” FLC head coach Jason Flores said in a phone interview with The Durango Herald. “I enjoy coaching this team. They are unselfish and such good people. It’s refreshing.”
The resiliency of the Skyhakws has been especially uplifting to their head coach. FLC now boasts a 7-1 road record and has refused to back down when trailing at halftime all season.
FLC shot 48 percent from the field in the second half while holding the Roadrunners to 32 percent in both halves. It was a stingy defensive effort by the visitors in the third game of a four-game trip.
“We’re playing good teams on the road, and we’re finding a way to win,” Flores said. “Credit to the players because it takes a lot of toughness to do that on the road. They do whatever it takes to win the game.”
Briana Clah poured in 20 points while making 9-of-10 free throws to lead FLC in scoring. Alyssa Yocky had a double-double of 16 points and 12 rebounds, and Kayla Herrera added another 14 points and four rebounds to go with two steals. Katilyn Romero also added eight points off the bench.
FLC came out in the second half with a mentality of attacking the basket. Stronger screens allowed players to penetrate and get to the basket, and FLC got to the foul line 42 times. Still, Flores would like to improve on the 66.7 percent free-throw shooting Friday night.
Metro State (8-7, 4-4 RMAC) was led by Jaelynn Smith’s 18 points, five assists and three rebounds. Georgia Ohrdorf had a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds.
Aside from an RMAC-opening loss to No. 9 CSU-Pueblo, the Skyhawks will face their toughest conference test Saturday night at UC-Colorado Springs (10-4, 7-1 RMAC) and dominant center Brittany Hernandez.
“We know that story,” Flores said. “We know we’re in for a big task. But I do know we’re going to battle. That’s the makeup of our players. We respect (Hernandez) and know she’s a tremendous unbelievable player, but we’re gonna go to battle and win that game.”
Tip off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Saturday in Colorado Springs.
jlivingston@durangoherald.com
