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Efficient offense leads Skyhawks to 77-63 win against MSU Denver

Four Skyhawks finished in double figures on Saturday afternoon
Fort Lewis College celebrates its victory over Western New Mexico on Nov. 8 at FLC. (Jerry McBride/file)

Fort Lewis College women’s basketball team’s offense improved over the last few games, but the wins didn’t come until the Skyhawks faced off against MSU Denver on Saturday afternoon.

The Skyhawks, led by freshman guard Katie Lamb, scored at least 70 points for the third consecutive game and came away with a convincing 77-63 victory.

“It was a nice response from the loss (at Colorado School of Mines on Friday),” FLC head coach Lauren Zuniga said. “We played well the other night against Mines and came up short. It was really important for the girls tonight to just not come up short. They were in great spirits and ready to go. They knew the scout. I think they felt confident and they executed.”

FLC improved to 6-14 overall and 3-9 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference after it shot 54% from the field, 53% from 3-point range and 70% from the free-throw line. FLC has shot at least 50% from the field and at least 47% from 3-point range in back-to-back games. The Skyhawks snapped a five-game losing streak with the win.

Two of the Skyhawks’ five wins against Division II opponents have come against MSU Denver; FLC beat the Roadrunners 74-66 on Dec. 5.

Lamb finished with 21 points on 6-13 shooting from the field, 5-8 from 3-point range and 4-4 from the free-throw line; she also had a team-high nine rebounds. Lamb was on fire in the last three games and took the Skyhawks offense with her. She averaged 22.6 points per game on 58% shooting from the field, 61% from 3-point range and 100% from the free-throw line (12-12).

“Everybody's seen it all season with her capabilities,” Zuniga said. “But she's been more consistent, which is huge for the team. She’s hitting shots that she always has taken, but now it's really consistent for her, which is great.”

FLC senior forward Darla Hernandez had 18 points on 8-12 shooting from the field and 2-2 from the free-throw line. Sophomore guard Trista Hoobler and freshman guard Claudia Palacio Gámez each had 11 for the Skyhawks.

Junior guard Deniece Ryan missed her third consecutive game with a concussion; Ryan averages 10.2 points per game.

MSU Denver fell to 6-14 overall and 5-7 in the RMAC after it shot 45% from the field, 44% from the 3-point line and 59% from the free-throw line.

Ashlyn Yow led the Roadrunners with 16 points on 5-11 shooting from the field, 3-6 from the 3-point range and 3-4 from the free-throw line.

The Skyhawks jumped out to an 18-10 lead with 2:31 left in the first but MSU Denver battled back to end the quarter on a 9-0 run and took a 19-18 lead into the second quarter.

It was FLC that ended the second quarter on a run; the Skyhawks scored five consecutive points to go into halftime up 38-33.

The Skyhawks had one of their more impressive quarters of the season in the third. FLC scored 25 points on 53% shooting from the field and 71% from the 3-point line. FLC had an 18-point lead with two minutes left in the third before it led 63-48 heading into the fourth.

FLC plays at home against Adams State on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.

bkelly@durangoherald.com