The fifth consecutive win for the Fort Lewis women’s basketball team had a familiar recipe.
The Skyhawks came into Friday’s game at Westminster riding a four-game winning streak. The torrid stretch of recent play has been sparked by relentless defense and a hot hand from redshirt freshman guard Kayla Herrera. It was the same story Friday.
Herrera came out like a house afire and drilled her first four 3-point attempts, while the defense held the opponents to 13 percent in the opening quarter. Westminster made a late run, but FLC came away on top once again, 65-61.
Herrera led Fort Lewis for the third consecutive game with 18 points. Briana Clah had 14 points, and Shelby Patterson added 13.
With the win, Fort Lewis (16-6, 21-6 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) seals at worst a tie for third place in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. However, a three-way tie with Regis and UC-Colorado Springs could leave the Skyhawks as the odd one out when it comes to hosting a opening-round RMAC Shootout matchup Tuesday.
“Let’s hope it doesn’t turn out that we won’t host, but you never know until all the games are played,” Fort Lewis head coach Jason Flores said. “I’m really proud of the way we fought (Friday). We got off to a fast start, but it was almost too much, too early.”
Herrera was a perfect 3-for-3 from long range and had nine points in a 20-5 first-quarter outburst by the Skyhawks.
Westminster came charging back in the second, as a 10-0 run cut the deficit to six.
The Skyhawks led 37-24 at halftime, but the Griffins (8-13, 10-15 RMAC) made another run to tie the game 44-44 heading into the final quarter.
When Fort Lewis saw its lead evaporate, the Skyhawks came clawing back.
“This team has been doing stuff like that all season,” Flores said. “The one constant has been our toughness. When these girls have their backs against the wall, they respond like good teams do. This was one of those nights.”
Down 51-49, the Skyhawks answered with a 9-0 run that gave them control once again, and this time it was for good.
Regis beat South Dakota Mines on Friday and hosts Black Hills State Saturday. UC-Colorado Springs beat Colorado Mines Friday and plays at Colorado Christian Saturday.
jfries@durangoherald.com
