Frustration was all over the faces of the Fort Lewis College Skyhawks much of the night, but the only thing that mattered was the end result.
Baskets came too easy for the New Mexico Highlands Cowboys most of the night, and the war of words between the two biggest men on the floor played as big of a role in the game as made and missed shots.
FLC star senior center Alex Herrera of Ignacio went toe-to-toe with another big body, the Cowboys’ 6-foot-10, 285-pound center Kaylen Shane. Emotions began to boil over when Herrera caught an elbow to the ear from Shane early in the second half, and the two barked at each other the entire game.
It cost Herrera the most, as he picked up his fifth foul on a technical for taunting Shane after converting a layup while being fouled. Shane fouled out moments later, and it was up to guards to decide the outcome, with FLC leading only 65-63 with 5 minutes, 35 seconds to go and both big men out.
Cade Kloster and the Skyhawks answered, surviving a tough game against a one-win team to win 83-76.
“Give Highlands credit, they played very, very well. We knew we would be in a fight,” FLC associate head coach Bob Pietrack said. “We’re very proud of our guys for the way we competed the last 5 minutes and held them off and won the game.
“Huge step up by our whole junior class and (Rasmus Bach). We don’t have to play without (Herrera) very often. We were all really proud of how our team responded to it. (Austin) Haldorson – huge step up off the bench.”
The entire second half was a battle after the Skyhawks (11-3, 6-2 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) led 42-34 at halftime.
Herrera fouled out with 27 points and eight rebounds along with five blocked shots. He went 13-of-15 from the free-throw line, including 9-of-9 in the first half. Herrera took full blame for what he called a “silly foul.”
“We both are big guys and were banging, and I let my emotions get the best of me. ... I gotta be smarter than that being a fifth-year senior, but I’m proud of the guys and the way they grinded it out,” Herrera said. “They took it to a whole ’nother level and grinded it out.”
Kloster came on once again with 17 points, including a big 3-pointer with 1 minute to go that helped FLC rebuild a seven-point lead.
“We had to look to be more aggressive because we didn’t have Big Chief in the middle,” Kloster said.
Redshirt freshman guard Rasmus Bach finished with 15 points and seven rebounds for the Skyhawks.
“We knew if we settled for shots, that’s the type of game they wanted. We were aggressive and got to the line and took free throws to win the game,” Bach said.
Haldorson, a transfer from Wyoming, came on and played a big role down the stretch filling in for Herrera. He finished with nine points and five rebounds.
Also stepping up with a key rebound late was FLC junior guard Jared Smith.
“Jared Smith had what we felt was the play of the game. Up four we miss a free throw, and Jared gets the rebound. He didn’t have his best game but was a major factor in us winning the game,” Pietrack said.
Kendrick Nichols led the Cowboys (1-12, 1-8 RMAC) with 24 points on 9-of-22 shooting, and Jonathon Mines added 20.
Shane wasn’t much of a factor with six points and four rebounds, but his damage was done between the ears of Herrera.
In a rarity, the Skyhawks were outrebounded 47-42 and were outscored in the paint 34-24.
FLC will look to make it five wins in a row with another home game at 7:30 p.m. Saturday against Western New Mexico (1-12, 1-8 RMAC).
“We play in the best league in Division II basketball, and every night in a league game it’s going to be a war. We’re going to get everybody’s best punch,” Pietrack said.
jlivingston@durangoherald.com
