A pinch of improved defense and some strong performances from the supporting cast allowed the Skyhawks to soar.
Chadron State hit just 28.9 percent from the field in the second half, and the Fort Lewis College men’s basketball team had four players in double figures in a 78-72 victory Friday at Whalen Gymnasium.
An early run to start the second half allowed FLC (7-3, 4-2 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) to hold the Eagles (5-6, 2-5 RMAC) at bay. After trailing 37-35 at halftime, Chadron State went the first 4 minutes, 55 seconds of the second half without scoring and the first 6:20 without a field goal. In the meantime, FLC embarked on a 13-1 run to push its lead to as big as 14 at 50-36.
Chadron State would trim the lead to as little as two at 54-52 midway through the half but couldn’t get over the hump as FLC shot 51 percent for the game.
Alex Herrera had a standard standout performance, scoring 19 points and setting a career-high with nine blocks to go with eight rebounds, while guard Nick Tomsick hit 14 free throws and led all scorers with 21.
On Friday, they got plenty of help. Kody Salcido added a career-high 13 points – including several key buckets early in the second-half run – in his second consecutive start and added eight rebounds, and freshman point guard Will Morse scored 11 and had no turnovers for FLC, taking over starting duties from JoeBell Austin, who is suspended indefinitely for a violation of team rules.
“When they put me in, I’m just going after the boards, trying to get anything I can,” Salcido said. “Trying to play good defense like we’ve been trying to step up on.”
“Huge step up for Will Morse,” FLC associate head coach Bob Pietrack said. “Play 30 minutes in your first home start and don’t turn the ball over against a very aggressive Chadron team ... very happy.”
Defense was a sticking point for FLC entering the weekend, and the Skyhawks turned in a solid performance, particularly in the troublesome area of transition defense. The Eagles managed just six fast-break points, and FLC had a 27-15 edge in defensive rebounds to go with 10 team blocks.
“We knew we needed to step up on defense lately, giving up 85 points per game or whatever it was,” Herrera said. “So I think (Friday) was a good step forward for that.”
Chris Taylor led the Eagles with 19 points, while Christopher Smith narrowly missed a double-double with 16 points and eight rebounds. Chadron State had a 32-11 edge in bench points and, thanks somewhat to an awful stretch of shooting in the second half and also to an aggressive strategy, 23 offensive rebounds.
FLC will host Black Hills State at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.
rowens@durangoherald.com
