It might be at the point where it’s more surprising when Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week honors go to someone else.
Fort Lewis College junior center Alex Herrera did just that for the fourth time this season and second consecutive week when he was selected the league’s top defensive performer for his work in FLC victories at New Mexico Highlands and Western New Mexico on Friday and Saturday, respectively, marking the Skyhawks’ first road sweep of the New Mexico swing since 1986.
In Friday’s win over the Cowboys, he poured in 19 points and added 13 rebounds and a block in his fifth double-double this season.
On Saturday, Herrera scored 15 points, pulled in 15 rebounds, blocked five shots and had three assists in a victory over the Mustangs.
Herrera averaged 17 points and 10 rebounds on the weekend and had six more blocks to move his total this season to 54, tied for second in the nation and good for tops in the RMAC. His average of 4.15 blocks per game also is second nationally, behind only Alvin Brown of South Carolina-Aiken.
The reigning RMAC Defensive Player of the Year also captured the Defensive Player of the Week awards on Jan. 3, Dec. 16 and Nov. 11. He’s earned the honor four of the 10 times its been awarded this season.
The 54 blocks leave Herrera just 38 behind Rich Hillyer’s school record of 204 for a career. He’s also just 46 away from his own single-season record of 84, set last season.
As a team, the Skyhawks are playing perhaps their best basketball of the season. Fort Lewis has won five games in a row and six of its last seven to improve to 10-3 and 7-2 in the RMAC.
A big test looms for the Skyhawks this weekend. FLC will host Regis at 7:30 p.m. Friday before taking on No. 5 Metro State at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.
heraldsports@durangoherald.com
