Friday’s game for the No. 8 Fort Lewis College men’s basketball wasn’t just a send off to the seniors but a rare shot at revenge for the Skyhawks.
Adams State (13-14, 12-10 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) delivered one of FLC’s three losses way back in the first meeting Dec. 5, and Fort Lewis wasted no time enacting its revenge on one of the three teams to beat them this season.
It may have been senior night, but it was business as usual for the sizzling Skyhawks’ offense. The regular season RMAC champions shot 64 percent and put on an offensive clinic in a first half that saw the Skyhawks (24-3, 19-3 RMAC) score 56 points. They buried eight first-half 3-pointers on 13 attempts and buried the rival Grizzlies in the process, cruising to a 103-73 win. The senior night blowout was the team’s 12th consecutive victory.
“We’ve just been taking this thing one game at a time, but we were excited for this one, especially,” Fort Lewis head coach Bob Pietrack said. “They beat us over two months ago, and we didn’t forget about that. We came ready to play (Friday night).”
Five Skyhawks finished in double figures. Senior Kofi Josephs had a night to remember pouring in 21 points on seven made 3-pointers, and fellow senior Cade Kloster added 15 in his final regular season game at Whalen Gymnasium.
In fitting fashion, Kloster got the night started off right with the game’s first two baskets, and the home team never looked back.
Adams State had no answer for the offensive barrage as the lead approached 30 at halftime and was extended to 43 behind 18 second-half points and a shooting exhibition from Josephs, a senior from England.
“I really felt at home (Friday),” Josephs said. “When I left my home, I promised my loved ones that I would do well, and it’s been a long road for me, but I feel like I kept my promise.”
Fort Lewis shot 57 percent for the game and made 18 3-pointers. With the lead approaching 50, the only thing left to do for the jam packed Whalen Gymnasium crowd was salute seniors Ryan Brooks, Austin Haldorson, Josephs, Kloster, Kody Salcido and Jared Smith, who will leave with the best regular season in school history in their pockets.
“When we saw the crowd that showed up, we really wanted to come out strong and show what we’re made of,” Kloster said. “It was a great way to honor our loved ones who have sacrificed so much to allow us to play the game we love. We’ll enjoy this one and get ready for the next step.”
These Skyhawks are far from done.
As the top seed and regular season conference champion, Fort Lewis will host CSU-Pueblo in Tuesday’s opening round of the RMAC Shootout at 7 p.m. The Skyhawks won both meetings this season, 87-76 and 99-85. A win in the first round would give the Skyhawks the most wins in school history.
“Next week we start with zero wins and zero losses,” Pietrack said. “No matter what, though, nobody can take away what we’ve done this regular season. All I can say is that it’s been really, really special for me.”
jfries@durangoherald.com
