The No. 21 Fort Lewis College men’s basketball team is back in Durango after spending the last two weekends on the road with mixed results.
Two weeks ago, the Skyhawks ran into a hot shooting Colorado Christian team that ended its six-game winning streak. The next night, however, Fort Lewis overwhelmed Colorado Mines on its home floor in a 76-59 win.
Last weekend was similar for the Skyhawks as they lost a heartbreaker Friday at Colorado Mesa but came back with a vengeance Saturday in an 89-74 walkover of Westminster.
Needless to say, the Fort Lewis men are happy to be back home, and they have some important work to do Friday and Saturday with Western New Mexico (1-15, 1-5 RMAC) and New Mexico Highlands, the top team in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference standings at 10-7 overall and 9-2 in league, invading Whalen Gymnasium.
“Those four games and the considerable miles we traveled take a toll,” FLC head coach Bob Pietrack said Thursday in a phone interview with The Durango Herald. “We’re thankful to have it behind us, and now we have four straight at home, so we hope to take advantage of that.”
The Skyhawks are a perfect 7-0 at home this season, and they’re getting contributions from a variety of sources.
Kofi Josephs and Will Morse have been lighting it up on the offensive end for Fort Lewis in recent weeks.
Josephs’ 24 points led the way in the win against Colorado Mines, as the senior made five 3-pointers on 9-for-12 shooting from the field. He followed with 21 against Colorado Mesa.
Morse made the most of a starting role at Westminster and came out firing. He made four first-half 3-pointers on his way to a team-high 23 points and set the tone in an impressive offensive performance by the whole team.
“Kofi is really hitting his stride,” Pietrack said. “Will has had a very consistent season, and he’s been a big part of our success. He’s a smart player. He’s aggressive out there and he understands matchups well. I like to think that he’s an extension of me out there.”
After losing its first 15 games to start the season, Western New Mexico will be in high spirits coming off its first win of the season against Chadron State. Similar to the Skyhawks’ loss at Colorado Mesa, Chadron State had a relatively comfortable seven-point lead with under two minutes remaining but struggled from the foul line. Western New Mexico’s Adam Kesler drilled a 3-pointer to tie the game late and the Mustangs came through in overtime to win 74-70.
Much of the Mustangs’ struggles can be attributed to an offense that has trouble putting the ball in the basket. Western New Mexico averages 67 points per game which is second to last in the conference. They are last in the RMAC with a minus 10.8 scoring margin average, and the Mustangs are shooting an abysmal 37 percent from the field on the season.
Willie McCray is the only player for the Mustangs averaging in double figures at 10.6 points per game.
While Western New Mexico has had trouble putting things together this season, New Mexico Highlands has done the opposite.
The Cowboys have the best record in conference play and come into Durango on a three-game winning streak. Though they have a narrow lead on Fort Lewis in the RMAC’s Mounatin Division, the Skyhawks 13-3 overall record has given them a national ranking while New Mexico Highlands isn’t recognized in the Division II top 25 in the latest poll.
The RMAC’s top team does its damage on the offensive end and is second in the conference averaging 81 points per game. The Cowboys have four players averaging in double figures and are led by Australian guard Jonathon Mines, who is fifth in the conference scoring 20.4 points per game. Kendrick Nichols (16.3), Marlon Johnson (16), and Ron Lawton (12.8) join Mines in providing the offensive firepower for the Cowboys.
Unlike the defensively stout Fort Lewis team, the Cowboys allow 82 points per game, which is second worst in the conference. The Skyhawks are in the top five in the RMAC in both offense and defense.
“It doesn’t matter if it’s Western New Mexico or New Mexico Highlands, we have a tradition here of preparing to play regardless of who it is we’re up against,” Pietrack said. “Highlands is arguably the most talented team in this league when it comes down to individual talent. They’re scary.”
The games will tip off at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday at Whalen Gymnasium.
jfries@durangoherald.com
