A flat first half full of missed free throws wouldn’t deter the Fort Lewis College women’s basketball team from closing out the decade with a strong finish.
After the Skyhawks shot only 8-of-16 from the foul line and 33% from the field in the opening 20 minutes, FLC responded with a much better effort in the third and fourth quarters to secure a 63-48 victory Saturday night inside Whalen Gymnasium in Durango.
FLC will go into 2020 with an 8-2 overall record and 4-1 mark in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.
“Our first half, we didn’t do the best we could have, but our coaching staff really challenged these girls,” FLC head coach Orlando Griego said. “The second half, it was different script. Credit them for really responding, being coachable and being 4-1 in conference.”
FLC quickly erased a 28-25 halftime deficit with a 9-0 run to open the third quarter. A technical foul was called on Adams State head coach Jaime Green at the end of the run for the Skyhawks to allow them to take a 34-28 lead. FLC took a 47-39 advantage into the fourth quarter and stretched it to 17 points midway through the fourth before FLC worked its younger players onto the court.
FLC freshman forward Jordan Vasquez scored a game-high 16 points, while Kaitlyn Romero added 12. Bailey Osmer provided some spark to FLC with six points and nine rebounds. Sydney Candelaria had eight points, seven rebounds and three assists. Katrina Chandler added seven points and five assists.
Vasquez said Griego challenged the Skyhawks to play with more energy in the second half, and she felt the team responded. She said the guards pushing the ball up the floor led to easier baskets for the forwards.
Chandler had three personal fouls within the opening eight seconds of the second quarter. It was tough to her watch from the bench as the Skyhawks struggled offensively in the first half.
“When I’m not out there leading by example, it’s kind of hard,” Chandler said. “I just stepped up and tried to lead more from the bench, encourage the girls to keep going and give it their all.”
Strong defense from the Skyhawks helped FLC force eight second-half turnovers after Adams State gave it away only four times in the first half. Romero had three steals.
FLC won despite making only 4-of-17 from 3-point range. It was Romero’s three timely 3s that were critical at key points of the game, though. She was 3-of-5 shooting from long range.
“It definitely felt good. I felt like our team was moving the ball around a lot,” Romero said. “Coach talked over practice this week to move without the ball. I thought when the post got double-teamed they were able to kick out the ball, and I was fortunate to knock down some shots.”
Adams State (1-10, 1-4 RMAC) received team highs of 12 points and six rebounds from Zakiya Beckles. Laura Gutierrez and Marshell Hollins each had 10 points.
The Skyhawks are off until Jan. 3 against Metro State University-Denver (4-7, 3-2 RMAC). That game, followed by a Jan. 4 matchup with Chadron State (3-11, 1-4 RMAC), will come at home.
“I’m really proud of our girls thus far,” Griego said. “I know they aren’t going to settle, not gonna be complacent. They’re gonna want to continue to win, and we’re excited to have a couple of days off. I’m sure they’ll work out over break and be ready to go for two more home games.
“We’re putting ourself in good position to really get some respect in the RMAC.”
jlivingston@durangoherald.com
