The Fort Lewis College men’s basketball players, wearing their black uniforms, were dressed appropriately as MSU Denver’s chances of winning were killed in the second half at FLC as the Skyhawks pulled away for the 101-72 win.
It was one of FLC’s best offensive performances of the season, hitting the century mark in regulation for the first time since Feb 4. The Skyhawks moved the ball beautifully against MSU Denver’s zone defense, finding easy looks nearly every possession inside and outside the 3-point arc.
But FLC’s defense made the difference in the second half. The Roadrunners looked like a chicken with its head cut off that had amnesia from any film on FLC’s pressing defense. The Skyhawks were everywhere, creating 33 turnovers that led to baskets and the FLC faithful getting on their feet in a nearly full Whalen Gymnasium.
The Skyhawks outscored the Roadrunners by 21 in the second half as FLC won its ninth consecutive game to continue the program’s best-ever start to Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play. It was quite the improvement for FLC compared to its narrow 81-76 win at MSU Denver on Dec. 4.
“We put it together for 40 (minutes) tonight,” FLC head coach Jordan Mast said. “We were winning games, but we were having to scrape and claw, and we were kind of winning them ugly sometimes … But tonight, we were relentless the whole 40 minutes, both defensively and moving the ball on the offense.”
FLC improved to 14-5 overall and 12-0 in the RMAC after it shot 44% from the field, 31% from 3-point range and 85% from the free-throw line.
Redshirt sophomore Stewart Erhart led the Skyhawks with 24 points on 7-14 shooting from the field, 2-4 from 3-point range and 8-8 from the free-throw line. Senior forward Massal Diouf added 17 points on 6-8 shooting from the field, 5-6 from the free-throw line and eight rebounds. The Skyhawks had five players in double figures.
MSU Denver dropped to 7-13 overall and 5-7 in the RMAC after it shot 44% from the field, 33% from 3-point range and 85% from the free-throw line. Logan Threatt led the Roadrunners with 24 points on 8-13 shooting from the field, 4-8 from 3-point range and 4-4 from the free-throw line.
FLC was using its bigs as its primary creators early, with fifth-year forward Chuol Deng and Diouf passing and creating out of the dunker spot.
The Skyhawks forced eight turnovers in the first 4:20, and it looked like the Roadrunners had no idea FLC presses, even though the Skyhawks do it every game. FLC did a good job of passing the ball against MSU Denver’s zone defense, finding players all over the court for good looks.
A sweet spin and dish by freshman guard Trey Curry led to a finish by senior forward Keither Florence and a 12-3 lead with 15 minutes left. There was a great crowd to watch FLC, including an electric student section that was on its feet.
“It was absolutely fantastic,” Mast said about the crowd. “That’s what makes this place special is the community and the people here that show up … and bring in energy. It’s fun to be around and fun to play.”
MSU Denver settled into the game, finishing inside, not turning it over and hitting some outside shots. FLC continued to score, doing a great job of pushing the pace to not let the zone defense set. Two free throws by Erhart gave FLC a 24-16 lead with 10:39 left in the first half.
The Roadrunners zone defense was suspect at best. The Skyhawks were able to walk into open 3-pointers, and simple ball movement got FLC open looks. FLC had a double-digit lead, but MSU Denver hit its open 3-pointers after beating FLC’s press. Diouf used a beautiful pivot to spin toward the basket and score, restoring FLC’s lead to 41-29 with 3:51 left.
“We haven’t been zoned a lot, but it looked great,” Mast said about his offense. “It almost forces you to pass the ball, which, when we're passing it, we're a lot better.
Three-pointers were falling at the end of the half. MSU Denver hit two, but FLC responded with beautiful ball movement against the zone, leading to a 3-pointer by Smith to give the Skyhawks a 48-40 at the half.
The Skyhawks’ scoring didn’t go away to start the second half. FLC’s first 10 shots were inside the arc. The Skyhawks were finishing with strength, including a Florence poster to give FLC a 60-47 lead with 15:57 left.
FLC’s defense prowess returned from the beginning of the game. The Skyhawks were in passing lanes, trapping Roadrunners in the corner and finishing in transition. FLC turned MSU Denver over on five consecutive possessions, and two free throws by Erhart gave FLC a 73-52 lead with 12:35 left, capping an 11-0 run.
“We haven’t been capitalizing on our turnovers as much as we should,” Mast said. “But we’re starting to. Not only are we getting steals and turnovers, but we’re scoring out of them.”
MSU Denver’s turnover problems didn’t go away, and the Roadrunners were careless with the ball. FLC’s lead grew to as many as 30 points as the offense finished in transition and the half-court.
FLC hits the road to play at Adams State on Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
bkelly@durangoherald.com
