After its second consecutive 25-win season, the first two in school history, the Fort Lewis College men’s basketball team is officially headed to the Division II Men’s Basketball Championship tournament for the 10th time in school history.
The Skyhawks (25-6) were awarded the fifth seed in the South Central Regional Tournament. The eight-team regional tournament is hosted by the region’s top team Colorado School of Mines.
After dropping another heartbreaker to the Orediggers in overtime of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament’s title game, FLC will turn around and go right back to Golden to face perennial Lone Star Conference powerhouse and regional fourth-seed Tarleton State (22-7) in the first round. The game is scheduled to tip at 7:30 p.m. at Lockridge Arena.
“We are extremely excited to receive an at-large bid for the NCAA Division II tournament,” Fort Lewis head coach Bob Pietrack said. “We felt that we earned the bid with consistent play all year long. We have a very large challenge in front of us in Tarleton State, but we look forward to playing in our home state of Colorado.”
Both Fort Lewis and Tarleton State have struggled down the stretch this season. Three of the Skyhawks’ six losses came in the final six games as injuries and illness bit them at the wrong time. They should be fully healthy, however, with all hands on deck for Saturday’s game.
The two-time defending South Central Regional Tournament champion Tarleton State squad is riding a four-game losing streak into the regional tournament. The Texans are coming off a first-round loss to Angelo State in the Lone Star Conference Tournment.
If Fort Lewis can win its opening-round matchup and No. 1 Colorado Mines (27-4) beats No. 8 Arkansas-Fort Smith (23-11), another Skyhawks-Orediggers showdown would take place – and RMAC fans would certainly appreciate that. Both of teams’ two meetings this season have gone to overtime with Colorado Mines coming away with victory both times.
On the other side of the bracket, No. 2 University of Texas-Permian Basin (26-5) plays No. 7 Texas A&M-Kingsville (18-11). The final matchup in the region is No. 3 West Texas A&M (24-8) and No. 6 Texas A&M-Commerce (19-10).
jfries@durangoherald.com
