Fort Lewis men’s basketball coach Jordan Mast made a move to see how senior forward Chuol Deng would respond. Deng’s response won FLC its game against New Mexico Highlands 80-77 Tuesday night.
Mast moved Deng to the bench and he was phenomenal the moment he checked into the game. He showed why Mast thought he could be one of the top forwards in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.
Deng showed his touch from beyond the 3-point arc. He finished inside and rebounded like a man possessed. Deng used his length to protect the rim for the Skyhawks. Without him, FLC would’ve likely blown its 26-9 lead in the first half.
“Our goals were to handle their pressure, win the turnover battle and win the rebound battle,” Mast said. “Especially early, we gave up no offensive rebounds; our defense was clicking and we were sharing the ball … when we're focused and doing the things that we're trying to execute, we're pretty good. Then, throughout the game, there were times we got away from it … but to the credit of the guys, they responded and got back to their winning ways.”
FLC improved to 6-5 overall and 1-2 in the RMAC after it shot 44% from the field, 35% from 3-point range and 76% from the free-throw line.
Deng led all scorers with 28 points on 9-11 shooting overall, 4-4 from 3-point range, 6-8 from the free-throw line, 13 rebounds and six blocks.
This comes after Deng only scored 12 points in his last three games after leading FLC in scoring to start the season.
“It’s just trusting the plan,” Deng said. “It's enjoying the process; it's a blessing to come out here and have the opportunity to play basketball. I've been taking that for granted the last couple of weeks. I have good people around me who push me every day, going back to the basics, to what I'm really good at, and just going back to what helped me get to be a good basketball player. I’m trying to do anything I can to help this team.”
Senior guard Biko Johnson also stuffed the stat sheet with 14 points on 4-14 shooting overall, 0-5 from 3-point range, 6-7 from the free-throw line, eight rebounds, six assists and seven turnovers. Fifth-year guard Tru Allen also had 14 points on 5-12 shooting overall, 2-3 from 3-point range and 2-4 from the free-throw line.
NMH fell to 6-4 overall and 0-3 in the RMAC after it shot 39% from the field, 20% from 3-point range and 82% from the free-throw line in the loss.
Kenard Richardson led the Cowboys with 20 points on 7-13 shooting overall, 1-2 from 3-point range and 5-5 from the free-throw line.
The Skyhawks got off to an 18-2 start. FLC was sharing the ball and getting to the paint. The Skyhawks increased their lead to 26-9 with nine minutes left. FLC had seven assists on their first nine baskets.
“We wanted to handle their pressure and attack it,” Mast said. “So they're kind of like us they’ll run and jump. Our goal was not just to break it, but to attack; we did a good job of that and we got some easy ones. Then just seeking great shots. When we seek good team shots, feet-set threes, we're pretty good and we've shown we can make it a high level. When we shoot individual quick ones we're not as good.”
NMH went on a 9-0 run after FLC’s strong start by getting into the paint and scoring. The Cowboys continued to cut into FLC’s lead by turning over the Skyhawks and by hitting outside shots. Daniel Rosenber scored a transition layup to cut FLC’s lead to 30-26 with four minutes left in the half.
FLC was driving hard to the basket and was creating contact but wasn’t getting the calls. This infuriated Mast and he got a technical as he was hotter than train smoke on the sideline. KJ LaMonte hit both technical free throws and then scored a bucket off a nice drive to tie the game at 30 with three minutes left. The Cowboys took their first lead with two minutes left off a transition 3-pointer from Rosenber.
The Skyhawks finished the half with two free throws by Deng for a 37-33 lead. Mast said NMH is a good team, so he wasn’t surprised by its comeback. He was happy his team didn’t freak out and stayed the course.
NMH took its first lead of the second half with a strong finish inside to go up 43-42 with 15 minutes left. The Skyhawks responded with a strong drive and finish by Johnson to put FLC up 45-43.
FLC struggled to get rebounds as the Cowboys focused their offensive efforts inside the paint. The Cowboys took a 50-45 lead thanks to a strong finish by Blessin Kimble with 12 minutes left. FLC’s lack of size showed with junior forward Keither Florence, Deng and junior forward Cassius Carmichael trying their best, but they were getting outmuscled on the block and in the paint.
Deng continued to show his outside shooting with a nice pick-and-pop 3-pointer to give FLC the lead back 66-64 with six minutes left. FLC’s guards did a good job of finding their bigs off screens and drives in the second half.
FLC was carried to a double-digit lead by Deng’s shoulders. He received the ball at the free-throw line looking for a handoff. Instead, he turned, drove to his left through contact and finished, plus the foul. The next possession, he got the ball in the corner and splashed a 3-pointer home to give FLC a 76-66 lead with four minutes left.
The Skyhawks almost blew that double-digit lead. Up 79-69 with 51 seconds left, FLC had the butterfingers against the NMH press and turned it over repeatedly. NMH got to the line to stop the clock and FLC didn’t hit its free throws. Off a free throw miss, the Cowboys had a chance down three to send it into overtime with eight seconds left. Kyrie Thomas badly missed the 3-pointer and FLC survived.
“We’re a new team trying to learn how to win,” Mast said. “You're not in those positions until you're in those positions. This group hasn't been in a lot of those yet and we're learning. We’ve got to clean some things up. But I don't blame these guys at all. We just have to keep repping it and learn how to win.”
FLC plays at Adams State on Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
bkelly@durangoherald.com
