Fort Lewis College men’s basketball had been a comeback team this season, but Friday’s home opener against Western New Mexico was a game in which FLC couldn’t complete the rally, as the Skyhawks lost, 95-86.
The Skyhawks trailed by double-digits in the first and second halves. FLC was in foul trouble the whole game in a tightly officiated contest that saw both teams hit the double bonus in both halves. FLC found a way to take the lead in the second half behind the spectacular play of fifth-year forward Chuol Deng and junior guard Yorgio Golesis.
However, FLC’s defense wasn’t good enough down the stretch. The vaunted Skyhawks’ pressure broke down for easy scores inside, and in the half-court, Western New Mexico’s guards found space on the perimeter for 3-pointers.
After come-from-behind victories in FLC’s first two games, the Skyhawks were left disappointed with their first loss of the season against a team FLC beat six days prior.
“It was just too many mistakes,” FLC head coach Jordan Mast said. “We were overextended in our pressure, not doing it sharply, giving up too many easy ones, giving up a lot of offensive rebounds, 50-50 balls they’re beating us to. All those little things add up … we're playing hard enough that we're a game, but you're not going to pull every one of those close ones out when you keep making the same mistakes.”
FLC dropped to 2-1 overall after it shot 42% from the field, 20% from 3-point range and 80% from the free-throw line. Deng led FLC with 24 points on 9-20 shooting from the field, 1-4 from 3-point range and 5-5 from the free-throw line, along with a team-high nine rebounds. Not bad considering he didn’t take a shot in the first 10 minutes. Golesis finished with 19 points on 6-10 shooting from the field, 0-3 from 3-point range and 7-9 from the free-throw line.
Western New Mexico improved to 2-1 overall after it shot 39% from the field, 25% from 3-point range and 84% from the free-throw line. Carson Kelly led the Mustangs with 23 points on 5-13 shooting from the field, 4-11 from 3-point range and 9-10 from the free-throw line.
The Mustangs hit two 3-pointers and were getting most of their offense from their guards to start the game. FLC struggled to track shooters early, and Western New Mexico’s bigs were only getting involved on putbacks.
The Skyhawks looked to get the ball inside early with their guards and bigs. Western New Mexico’s style was winning early as it led FLC, 10-8, with 15:30 left in the first half.
Western New Mexico’s guards continued to feast from behind the arc. The referee’s whistle was also leading to more points. Western New Mexico got into the bonus with 12:10 left in the first half after some questionable calls against FLC’s pressing guards.
The Skyhawks also looked disjointed on offense as the Mustangs led 23-12 with 10:46 left in the first half.
“We pick up a lot of silly ones that aren't great fouls, that are just reaching, dumb fouls, or being out of position. Then the aggressive fouls that you want where we're playing really hard, and maybe we're just a second late now, instead of being a foul and their ball, they’re shooting free throws.”
When FLC needed him most on offense, Deng showed up to the party. He went on a 7-0 run with a 3-pointer and two trips to the free-throw line. The fifth-year forward has always been a mismatch with his inside-out game, but Deng looks much stronger inside. His free throws cut the Western New Mexico lead to 25-21 with 7:40 left in the first.
“He did some really good things,” Mast said about Deng. “We have really good players … They're just playing as good players right now and not as a good team on both ends of the floor.”
After being down nine with 2:15 left, Golesis finished the half on a 5-0 run to cut the lead to 41-37 at the half.
FLC had an up-and-down start to the second half. On one hand, Deng was working in the post really well with his baby hook to his right. But, FLC was smacking itself in the face with careless turnovers. Junior guard Donald Bangham Jr. traveled with no one near him; senior forward Massal Diouf lost his balance and fell out of bounds; senior forward Cassius Carmichael threw the ball off the back of the backboard. Mustang free throws increased their lead to 54-46 with 14:15 left.
Western New Mexico led 62-52 after some poor finishing inside by FLC. But FLC had the counter-punch. Deng finished; Golesis had two steals and scores; Florence and Carmichael got to the line. Then, Golesis drove to the hole, threw a layup high off the glass, and the whistle blew with the ball rolling around the rim. The ball dropped, and the crowd got on its feet. Golesis made the free throw, and just like that, it was 63-62 FLC with 8:41 left.
FLC had between a one and three-point lead for a few minutes, until a 10-2 run gave Western New Mexico a 81-76 lead with 4:15 left. Kelly had eight of those points in a minute with two 3-pointers. FLC cut the lead to 89-86 with 1:11 left, but the Skyhawks gave up a put back on the next possession, missed a 3-pointer and had to foul.
The Skyhawks stay at home to play No. 25 Lubbock Christian on Saturday at 7 p.m.
bkelly@durangoherald.com
