Looking at the box score of the matchup between Fort Lewis men’s basketball and Western New Mexico on Friday, anyone would think Western New Mexico would’ve won if only the shooting splits were looked at.
The Mustangs shot 44% from the field and 43% from the 3-point line while the Skyhawks shot 34% from the field and 21% from the 3-point line.
However, FLC forced 24 turnovers and had almost double the free throw attempts the Mustangs had. Down in the second half, FLC finally got its offense going thanks to senior forward Chuol Deng’s seven points in about a minute. The Skyhawks used a 25-10 run to pull away from the Mustangs and win 71-62.
“We’re hanging our hat on the defensive end,” FLC head coach Jordan Mast said. “When you're not playing very good on the offensive end, that's what's going to keep you in games. We've kind of done that three straight games so we need to get better on the offensive end. But I'm proud of our effort, our rebounding with 25 offensive rebounds. These guys really are being tough on that end. We need to slow down on the offensive end and make the easier plays. When we do that, you're going to see a team that not only plays at an elite level defensively but can compete with anyone.”
FLC improved to 2-3 overall with the win after also shooting 68% from the free-throw line. Western New Mexico fell to 0-3 overall after it shot 46% from the free-throw line. The Skyhawks outrebounded the Mustangs 45-41.
Junior forward Keither Florence led the Skyhawks with an ultraefficient day, finishing with 18 points on 7-8 shooting from the field, 1-1 from 3-point range and 3-3 from the free-throw line in 23 minutes. Fifth-year guard Tru Allen had 14 points on 3-13 shooting from the field, 0-1 from 3-point range, 8-13 from the free-throw line and eight rebounds.
“I just trust my team,” Florence said. “I’m just taking the right moments, taking the right shots, just being patient, looking for everybody.”
Western New Mexico’s Carson Kelly led the Mustangs with 14 points.
FLC got to the line early and led 9-3 after a Florence free throw with 13:19 left in the first half. Then the Skyhawks went cold as freezer burned meat in the middle of the half. Western New Mexico went on a 12-2 run after a Kelly 3-pointer to take a 15-11 lead with 9:22 to go.
The Skyhawks strung some stops together including some shot clock violations to stay in the game. But a step-back 3-pointer and a dunk gave the Mustangs a 26-19 lead with 1:57 left in the first half.
Offensive production came back at the end of the half for FLC but the Skyhawks couldn’t get stops. A baseline jumper at the buzzer by Kelly gave Western New Mexico a 32-26 lead at half.
FLC was aggressive and drew some fouls early in the second half. A Florence 3-pointer and an Allen drive cut the Mustangs’ lead to 34-33 with 17:13 left. The Skyhawks sped up Western New Mexico with its pressure and caused some rushed shots and turnovers.
The defensive pressure continued for FLC and Mast was constantly yelling at his team to push the pace on offense. Allen once again struggled to shoot. Senior guard Biko Johnson took over the point for a stretch in the middle of the second half and was more effective. The defense had to play him for his scoring ability. He hit a 3-pointer and found freshman forward Jude Brideba on a lob for a 44-42 lead with 12:37 to go.
The Skyhawks shot themselves in the foot numerous times in the foot on offense in the second half. They missed easy shots around the rim and threw poor entry passes that led to turnovers.
Western New Mexico took advantage of that and FLC’s press to convert in transition and take a 52-46 lead with nine minutes to go.
The scrappy Skyhawks continued to fight and caused a few turnovers in the backcourt to stay in the game. After being held scoreless for the first 33 minutes of the game, Deng scored his first points with a timely 3-pointer. Redshirt freshman guard Stewart Erhart then found Deng on the baseline off a nice set for a layup and a 54-52 lead with 6:30 to go
“You're starting to see our guys really on that defensive end and have some continuity,” Mast said. “They're flying around. We created 20-something turnovers. When you're turning our teams over that much, you give yourself 20-something more shots off that. Just by percentages, we're going to put ourselves in a better position.”
FLC continued to play well at the defensive end and got out in transition to aid its struggling offense. Junior guard Malachi Coleman had a great steal on the press and found junior forward Cassius Carmichael for a slam. The Skyhawks led 62-54 with 4:20 left.
The Skyhawks chewed clock late thanks to multiple offensive rebounds on late shot-clock heaves.
FLC returns to Whalen Gymnasium tomorrow night to face Northern New Mexico at 7 p.m.
bkelly@durangoherald.com
