Big road wins have the Fort Lewis College women’s basketball team sitting pretty going into the second half of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference schedule.
After winning their first three games of a four-game trip, including games at Regis and Metro State, the Skyhawks were tripped up by UC-Colorado Springs last Saturday. But FLC (12-3, 7-3 RMAC) sits alone in fourth place in the conference and will play eight of its final 12 games at home as the team looks to push its way back to the conference tournament.
FLC is 4-1 at home this season and 7-2 on the road.
“We’re ready to be home and glad we’re not getting on the bus,” FLC head coach Jason Flores said. “You naturally have a comfort zone at home, but you have to be careful in not thinking that will carry you alone. We can’t let down intensity-wise. We’ve done a great job of staying focused on the road, and we have to bring that mentality and focus into these home games.”
The Skyhawks will face Black Hills State (4-10, 4-6 RMAC) on Friday and South Dakota Mines (6-9, 4-6 RMAC) on Saturday. Both games are scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
Though both opponents have losing records, Flores has been impressed by the recent play of both teams against top-shelf RMAC competition. The Yellow Jackets took undefeated and 10th-ranked CSU-Pueblo to overtime last week before falling by one point, and they’ve won three of their last five.
“Throw their record out,” Flores said of Black Hills State. “They’re playing really well against good teams, and I have a lot of respect for Coach (Mark Nore) and his program. No matter what, it’s a close game when we play.”
South Dakota Mines is an athletic team with strong players of good height. Fort Lewis saw the Hardrockers play earlier this year at the Eastern New Mexico tournament, and Flores knows it will be another good test.
FLC has been paced by the scoring of Briana Clah, who averages 15.1 points per game to sit in fourth in the RMAC standings. Alyssa Yocky has been a force in her sophomore season. The forward averages 11.9 points and 9.1 rebounds per game, with her rebounds ranking second in the conference.
The Skyhawks have plenty of balance offensively, too, with Kayla Herrera also averaging 10.5 points per game and plenty of other players taking turns in big moments.
Now, FLC will get a chance to showcase that talent at home.
“Us and the men are hoping for great crowds, and that’s deserving for both teams,” Flores said.
jlivingston@durangoherald.com
If you go
Who: Black Hills State/South Dakota Mines at Fort Lewis
What: RMAC women’s basketball
When: 5:30 p.m. Friday/Saturday
Where: Bob Hofman Court at Whalen Gymnasium
Listen Live: KIUP 930 AM, 97.3, 106.3 FM
Twitter: @The7thFreezer
