Freshman guard Katie Lamb was ready to go from the opening tipoff for the Fort Lewis College women’s basketball team’s game against University of Colorado Colorado Springs. However, Lamb’s career-high 27 points weren’t enough as UCCS outscored FLC by 10 in the fourth to win 74-71 Saturday afternoon.
FLC fell to 5-13 overall and 2-8 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference after it shot 38% from the field, 36% from 3-point range and 88% from the free-throw line. It was FLC’s fourth consecutive loss.
“We want to continue to get better at the little things, which means offensive execution, knowing the scout, bench energy,” FLC head coach Lauren Zuniga said. “Our message for the rest of the season is to be the best at all of the things that don’t require talent; the wins will come.”
Lamb finished with 27 points on 8-12 shooting from the field, 5-8 from 3-point range and 6-6 from the free-throw line. Senior forward Darla Hernandez had a strong game for the Skyhawks and finished with 23 points on 8-16 shooting from the field, 1-3 from 3-point range and 6-6 from the free-throw line; Hernandez also added a team-high 10 rebounds.
UCCS improved to 10-7 overall and 6-4 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference after it shot 37% from the field, 20% from 3-point range and 71% from the free-throw line.
Maison White led UCCS with 21 points on 7-11 shooting from the field, 7-8 from the free-throw line and 17 rebounds. Amayah Moore Allen added 17 points for the Mountain Lions.
UCCS started the game on a 7-0 but Lamb had the response with three 3-pointers to get FLC the lead 13-12 with 5:43 left in the first quarter. UCCS led 20-18 after the first quarter.
The Skyhawks continued their strong offense with good ball movement in the second quarter. FLC penetrated and found shooters. FLC could’ve had an even better scoring quarter but the Skyhawks were called for three questionable charge calls. UCCS got to the free-throw line on the other end; White hit two to put UCCS up 38-33 with 2:32 left.
FLC ended the half strong with 3-pointers by Lamb and junior Laisha Armendariz along with free throws from Lamb. FLC led 41-40 at half behind Lamb’s 21 first-half points.
“We did a good job of keeping it simple and made the right reads,” Zuniga said.
UCCS and FLC battled back and forth for first six minutes of the third quarter; Amaya Snowden’s layup cut FLC’s lead to 52-51 with 3:47 left.
Darla Hernandez showed her offensive skill set with a nice spin move inside and a smooth midrange jumper as FLC finished the third quarter on an 8-2 run and led 60-53.
Hernandez hit a 3-pointer at the top of the key to put FLC up 63-55 with 8:25 left. After that, FLC couldn’t get the same clean looks it was getting in the first half. UCCS used its size and athleticism to crash the offensive glass; White finished inside to give UCCS its first lead of the fourth, 66-65 with 3:08 left.
FLC couldn’t keep White off the glass late and the Mountain Lions extended their lead to 73-66 with 45 seconds left.
The Skyhawks play at Colorado School of Mines on Thursday at 5:30 p.m.
bkelly@durangoherald.com
