Jason Flores was excited to schedule a pair of exhibitions against Division I schools, hoping it would help his team get ready for a tough Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference schedule.
The Fort Lewis College women’s basketball team struggled in both of the exhibitions, including a 61-43 loss to Northern Arizona on Saturday in Flagstaff, Arizona. The game did not count toward FLC’s record, but it did go toward the now 3-3 record for Northern Arizona.
The Skyhawks (3-1) started the game strong but slowed down at the end of the first half, leading to a 37-27 deficit going to the locker room. A long scoring drought in the middle of the second half allowed the Lumberjacks to amass a 20-point lead.
“In the second half, we played it like an exhibition, and that we just can’t do,” Flores said in a phone interview with The Durango Herald. “The reason we played this game is to play a Division I-team going into conference next week. It only was gonna help us down the road. I was disappointed we played it like an exhibition, and it showed in the stats.”
FLC had an early rebounding advantage but went on to lose that category 49-40. Flores was unhappy to see his team give up 19 offensive boards.
The Skyhawks shot 29.3 percent from the field and hit 6-of-20 3-point shots. FLC only went to the free-throw line six times and made half of its attempts. FLC also turned it over 20 times and had only 11 assists.
“We gave up tons of offensive boards and missed a ton of six-foot-and-in shots. It shows you we weren’t as locked in, and that’s something we can’t afford to do,” Flores said. “Had we put away the shots we normally have, I think we would have had a bit of a lead at the half.”
The Skyhawks had a hard time slowing down Northern Arizona’s Erikka Banks, who had a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds.
“She was aggressive, a difference-maker and their most athletic player,” Flores said. “Somebody we didn’t have an answer for and a legit D-1 player.”
FLC was led in scoring by junior guard Kylie Santos, who had nine points on 4-of-10 shooting. She also added five rebounds.
Skylyn Webb, a sophomore guard, led FLC in assists and rebounding with three assists and eight boards. Mary Brinton was limited to 7 points on 3-of-11 shooting to go with two rebounds.
The Skyhawks will begin RMAC play on the road at 5:30 p.m. Friday against UC-Colorado Springs, followed by a 5:30 p.m. Saturday game against CSU-Pueblo.
“We’re excited. We’ll be on the road again with two really tough games,” Flores said. “My hope is we’ve been prepared by playing these Division I games and our non-conference games.”
jlivingston@durangoherald.com
