The Fort Lewis College men’s basketball team opened its 2021-22 season in thrilling fashion on Saturday, fighting off a gritty Eastern New Mexico University squad to claim a 96-92 victory at University of New Mexico's historic “The Pit” in Albuquerque.
“I thought that was a tremendous college basketball game between two teams that are experienced, strong and physical,” said FLC head men’s basketball coach, Bob Pietrack. “I thought it was a great Lonestar-RMAC game and we're very happy to come out on the right side of it.”
Fort Lewis had five players finish in double figures, led by two-time first team RMAC forward Riley Farris with 31 points, to tip off its first of two games at the RMAC-Lonestar Conference Challenge.
Farris scored 12 of his 16 first-half points over the final 10 minutes to help FLC carry a 36-30 lead into the break. The senior shot 9-of-12 from the field, 10-of-11 on free throws and 3-of-4 from 3-point range.
“Riley needs no introduction to our fans and teams across the region. I think people know who he is and that he is a special talent. Scoring 31 points in 31 minutes just shows how great of an offensive player he is,” Pietrack said. “Just as important as his offensive production, he has really improved as a defensive player. I thought he had a lot of key blocks and key rebounds for us down the stretch.”
The Skyhawks led for 33:34 of game action while shooting an even 50 percent (31-of-62) from the floor and committing just 12 turnovers against an athletic and pressing Greyhounds team.
FLC led by as many as nine points on two occasions, but Eastern New Mexico did not go away quietly. The Greyhounds strung together an 8-0 run to take its first lead of the second half at 79-78 with 4:24 remaining.
The two teams continued to trade baskets until the 1:03 mark when senior guard Will Wittman made the defensive play of the game for the Skyhawks, rotating over from the weak side to block a would-be tying layup. FLC controlled the defensive rebound and scored the next trip down to go up two possessions, closing out the game with free throws over the final 60 seconds.
“That was probably the play of the game,” Pietrack said of Wittman, who poured in 16 points and five rebounds to go with his game-saving block. “That’s a senior who came back this year and is extremely hungry for success.”
Fellow senior Corey Seng tallied 12 points, three rebounds – including a key offensive rebound on a missed free throw in the final 90 seconds – and two steals.
Senior transfer JacQuess Hobbs also shined in his first game as a Skyhawk after coming in from Eastern Kentucky, scoring 13 points, picking off two steals and dishing out a team-high six assists.
Sophomore guard Akuel Kot was the fifth FLC player in double figures with 10 points, shaking off a tough shooting day from the field to hit four clutch free throws to ice the game in the final minute.
FLC played its second nail-biter in as many days on Sunday during the final day of the RMAC-Lonestar Conference Challenge. Unfortunately for the Skyhawks, they came up just shy in a 98-87 shootout against Angelo State University inside The Pit.
Fort Lewis (1-1 overall) and Angelo State (2-0 overall) each shot 58% from the floor. The difference came at the 3-point line where the Rams were a sizzling 13-of-26.
The Skyhawks were a serviceable 7-of-16 from deep, but the amount of makes from the Rams proved to be the separator.
The two regional powers battled back and forth early, with the Skyhawks taking their largest lead of the game at 19-14 at the 12:06 mark of the first half. Redshirt junior forward Brenden Boatwright led the charge, scoring 11 of his team-high 19 points.
Angelo State roared back, taking advantage of 12 first-half turnovers and early foul trouble for the Skyhawks, to take a 46-35 lead into the break.
Fort Lewis responded to the adversity in the second half, erasing the 11-point deficit to take its first lead of the half at 75-74 on a corner 3-pointer by Farris with 7:19 remaining.
Unfortunately for FLC, Rams’ guard Devaughn Thomas – 4-for-4 from 3-point range – answered with a trey the ensuing possession, sparking an 8-0 run by Angelo State to retake an 82-75 lead with 5:35 remaining. The Skyhawks were unable to inch any closer than four points the rest of the way.
Fort Lewis finished with five players in double figures, led by Boatwright’s 19. Junior guard Dunnell Stafford poured in 14 points on 6-of-7 shooting. Farris followed with 13 points, while Wittman and Seng tallied 12 points and 11 points, respectively.
FLC will play its first home game at 7 p.m. Wednesday against the University of the Southwest
