The Skyhawks soared to new heights Tuesday.
In the final National Association of Basketball Coaches NCAA Division II Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll of the 2015-16 season, Fort Lewis College climbed from No. 8 to No. 4, the highest ranking in the history of the Skyhawks’ program.
“To receive such national recognition at this stage of the season is a testament to the determination and focus of our players and staff,” FLC head coach Bob Pietrack said in an interview with The Durango Herald. “Our program has been working hard over the last 15 years to be considered an elite Division II basketball program.
“There are over 350 Division II men’s basketball teams. To be considered one of the best by the coaches poll is an honor.”
No. 4 FLC capped off a stunning Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference campaign with a 27-3 overall record. The Skyhawks claimed their fifth regular-season conference championship and defeated Colorado Mines 73-72 in the RMAC Shootout championship game Saturday night to win a sixth conference tournament championship. The Skyhawks also finished the season 17-0 on their home Bob Hofman Court at Whalen Gymnasium.
Despite being the highest ranked team from the South Central Region, the Skyhawks were not awarded the top seed in the regional to open the NCAA Division II Tournament. Midwestern State from Wichita Falls, Texas, is ranked No. 7 but was awarded the top-seed and hosting rights for the regional tournament with a 24-5 overall record.
“27-3 speaks for itself. We felt the tournament should have been in Durango, in front of the best fans in the RMAC,” Pietrack said. “We look forward to playing and competing hard in Texas against elite competition.”
The Skyhawks will open tournament play at 1:30 p.m. Saturday against seventh-seed Dallas Baptist (23-8). The Patriots from the Heartland Conference lost three of their final four regular-season conference games before winning three in a row to claim the Heartland Conference tournament championship with an 89-83 overtime win against UA Fort Smith.
“Although we are pleased to have a national top-five finish in the final NABC coaches poll, our attention is fully on the NCAA Tournament. The road gets difficult real quick, and we have a ton of respect for our first opponent, Dallas Baptist.”
jlivingston@durangoherald.com
