Thursday, Mar 2, 2023 2:31 PMUpdated Thursday, Mar. 2, 2023 2:32 PM
FLC men reach RMAC semifinals
Dunnell “Scottie” Stafford of Fort Lewis College puts up a shot over Regis University on Tuesday in the quarterfinals of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament at FLC. Stafford was one of five Skyhawks honored by the conference this week. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Fort Lewis College junior Akuel Kot scored 25 points in the team’s 96-89 victory over Regis University on Tuesday in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament quarterfinals, setting a new scoring record in the process.
Kot has now scored 701 points this season, which is a new single-season program record for FLC. Kot broke Joshua Blaylock's (2016-17) and Alex Herrera's (2014-15) previous record of 687. Kot ranks sixth in all-time career points with 1,612.
When the RMAC released its all-conference team members this week, Kot was one of five Skyhawks honored.
Akuel Kot of Fort Lewis College puts up a shot while playing Regis University on Tuesday in the quarterfinals of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament at FLC. Kot scored 25 points in the game to break FLC’s single season scoring record with 701 points. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Kot and JaQuaylon Mays made the All-RMAC first team, Brenden Boatwright scored second team honors while Obi Agbim and Dunnell “Scottie” Stafford both received honorable mentions. Joel Scott of Black Hills State, who is originally from Monument, was named the Player of the Year for the second consecutive season.
FLC survives tough test from Regis
The No. 2 seeded Skyhawks will face No. 3 Black Hills State at 7:30 p.m. Friday in the RMAC semifinals in Grand Junction, following a showdown between No. 1 Colorado Mesa and No. 4 Colorado School of Mines at 5 p.m.
To reach the semis, however, the Skyhawks had to rally Tuesday.
The No. 7 seeded Regis Rangers jumped out to a 13-3 lead and had an answer every time Fort Lewis started to rally. Stafford scored eight of Fort Lewis’ first 10 points to keep the Skyhawks close, including a jumper that cut Regis’ lead to 15-10.
Agbim finished the half strong for FLC, sinking a three, dunking and then turning a steal into a layup just before the buzzer to cut Regis’ lead to 45-42 at halftime.
After a Kot jumper in the second half cut Regis’ lead to 51-50, Stafford took a steal coast to coast for a layup that gave FLC its first lead of the game, 52-51, with 17:12 remaining. Brenden Boatwright added a put back after snagging an offensive rebound to put FLC up by three. Regis, however, responded with seven unanswered points to retake the lead.
Back-to-back 3-pointers from Mays followed by a Brendan La Rose trey got the lead back for Fort Lewis, 70-69.
Regis, however, wouldn’t back down and the game was tied four times in the next five minutes. Boatwright tied it at 73 with a bucket and free throw. Mays tied it at 75 with a dunk. Kot tied it at 77 with a pair of free throws, then Regis tied it at 81 from the free-throw line.
Agbim, however, made a bucket and free throw to give FLC an 84-81 advantage with under six minutes left, and the Skyhawks never trailed again. It was still a one-basket game with 17 seconds remaining, but Fort Lewis made its last 10 free throws of the contest to help it hold off the Rangers, including four in the waning seconds.
Five Skyhawks scored double-digit points in the game, led by Kot’s 25. Agbim scored 22, Stafford had 16 and grabbed a team-high seven rebounds while Boatwright and Mays both scored 13.
La Rose had three blocks for Fort Lewis, including one with FLC leading 86-85 and another huge swat on Regis’ next possession.
“Great RMAC playoff game between two schools that are championship caliber programs,” FLC head coach Bob Pietrack said. “We weathered a bevy of shots early, things didn't go our way, and there were multiple times we were ready to break through but couldn't. I really tip my hat to Regis. I thought they played very well, especially their seniors. We knew it would be a tough fight, but I'm just really proud of our guys tonight and excited to get on to the semifinal.”
The Skyhawks also cut down the nets in Whalen Gymnasium after the victory to commemorate being RMAC regular-season co-champions. FLC is 26-3 overall and 19-3 in the RMAC. In the latest national polls, FLC is ranked No. 10 by the National Association of Basketball Coaches and No. 7 by the Division II College Sports Communicators. The other teams still vying for an RMAC title are also ranked. Colorado School of Mines (25-4, 18-4) comes in at No. 13/25 followed by top-seeded Colorado Mesa University (25-4, 19-3) at No. 14/15 and Black Hills State University (25-4, 18-4 RMAC) at No. 16/12.
Brenden Boatwright of Fort Lewis College puts up a shot against Regis University on Tuesday in the quarterfinals of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament at FLC. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Brendan La Rose of Fort Lewis College blocks a Regis University shot Tuesday in the quarterfinals of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament at FLC. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Brenden Boatwright of Fort Lewis College is fouled while playing Regis University on Tuesday in the quarterfinals of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament at FLC. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Jerry McBride
Fort Lewis College plays Regis University on Tuesday in the quarterfinals of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament at FLC. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Jerry McBride
Brendan La Rose of Fort Lewis College blocks a Regis University shot on Tuesday in the quarterfinals of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament at FLC. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Jerry McBride
Fort Lewis College student body cheers on their team while playing Regis University on Tuesday in the quarterfinals of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament at FLC. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Jerry McBride
Akuel Kot of Fort Lewis College puts up a shot while playing Regis University on Tuesday in the quarterfinals of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament at FLC. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Jerry McBride
Sekou Dembele of Fort Lewis College blocks a Regis University shot on Tuesday in the quarterfinals of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament at FLC. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Jerry McBride
Obi Agbim of Fort Lewis College puts up a shot while playing Regis University on Tuesday in the quarterfinals of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament at FLC. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Jerry McBride
JaQuaylon Mays of Fort Lewis College is fouled while playing Regis University on Tuesday in the quarterfinals of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament at FLC. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Jerry McBride
Fort Lewis College student body cheers on their team while playing Regis University on Tuesday in the quarterfinals of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament at FLC. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Jerry McBride
Akuel Kot of Fort Lewis College puts up a shot while playing Regis University on Tuesday in the quarterfinals of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament at FLC. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Jerry McBride
JaQuaylon Mays of Fort Lewis College plays tough defense against Regis University on Tuesday in the quarterfinals of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament at FLC. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Jerry McBride
Obi Agbim of Fort Lewis College slam dunks the ball while playing Regis University on Tuesday in the quarterfinals of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament at FLC. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Jerry McBride
Brenden Boatwright of Fort Lewis College puts up a shot against Regis University on Tuesday in the quarterfinals of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament at FLC. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Jerry McBride
Dunnell Stafford of Fort Lewis College puts up a shot over Regis University on Tuesday in the quarterfinals of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament at FLC. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Jerry McBride
Brendan La Rose of Fort Lewis College puts up a three-point shot over Regis University on Tuesday in the quarterfinals of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament at FLC. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Jerry McBride
JaQuaylon Mays of Fort Lewis College puts up a shot while playing Regis University on Tuesday in the quarterfinals of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament at FLC. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Jerry McBride
The Fort Lewis College men's basketball team celebrates on Tuesday after defeating Regis University in the quarterfinals of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament at FLC. Fort Lewis is the conference’s regular season co-champion. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Jerry McBride
Fort Lewis College men’s head basketball coach Bob Pietrack cuts down the net on Tuesday after defeating Regis University in the quarterfinals of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament at FLC. Fort Lewis cut down the nets to commemorate them being the conference’s regular season co-champion. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Jerry McBride
The Fort Lewis College men's basketball team poses for a photo on Tuesday after defeating Regis University in the quarterfinals of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament at FLC. Fort Lewis is the conference’s regular season co-champion. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Jerry McBride
Fort Lewis College men's head coach Bob Pietrack draws up a play while playing Regis University on Tuesday in the quarterfinals of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament at FLC. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Jerry McBride
Akuel Kot of Fort Lewis College and his teammates cut down the net on Tuesday after defeating Regis University in the quarterfinals of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Central Tournament at FLC. Fort Lewis cut down the nets to commemorate them being the conference’s regular season co-champion. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Jerry McBride
Fort Lewis College men's head basketball coach Bob Pietrack, right, and Tyler Danielson, associate head men's basketball coach, celebrate on Tuesday after defeating Regis University in the quarterfinals of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament at FLC. Fort Lewis is the conference’s regular season co-champion. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
