It was a record-setting performance for the Fort Lewis College men’s basketball team, as the Skyhawks toppled New Mexico Highlands University 91-79 Saturday night in Las Vegas, New Mexico.
Sophomore Riley Ferris set a new school record for field-goal percentage in a game on 12-for-12 shooting, including 4-for-4 from behind the 3-point line and 3-for-3 from the free-throw line for a new career-high 31 points.
“That was the greatest offensive night I’ve ever seen,” FLC head coach Bob Pietrack said. “12-for-12 from the field with four 3s and 3-for-3 from the free-throw line, it’s hard to do better than that. We’ve had some great performances from some of the best Division II players, but Riley tonight was as close to pitching a perfect game as you can be.”
Ferris surpassed Kevin Hach for best field-goal percentage in a single game. Hach went 11-for-11 on Nov. 30, 2001, against Western New Mexico.
But it wasn’t just Farris on fire in the win. The 19th-ranked Skyhawks shot 59 percent from the field, including 11-of-19 from deep. They also made 22-of-26 free throws in the win.
The Skyhawks’ bench outscored the starters 47-44 behind Farris and DJ Miles, who added 11 points.
“We don’t really considered anybody starters or bench players,” Pietrack said. “We look at each game as a 200-minute pie and we try to manage it the best way possible. Guys like DJ and Riley, yeah they come off the bench for us, but their starting caliber players.”
FLC (5-1, 2-0 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) had a bit of a slow start and fell behind 10-5 early in the first half but quickly went on a 20-5 run to pull ahead 25-15.
The Skyhawks maintained the lead, and stretched it to as many as 13, before taking a 50-42 advantage into halftime.
Highlands (5-3, 0-2 RMAC) made a small push and cut FLC’s lead to 57-51 before the Skyhawks pulled away midway through the second half. FLC built its lead to as many as 16. Highlands cut the deficit to eight points a couple times, but each time the Cowboys threatened to get back into the game, the Skyhawks answered with a big bucket and clutch free throws.
Daniel Hernandez also set a new career best with 23 points. He made 14-of-15 free-throw attempts and hit three 3s.
Rasmus Bach added to his school record for career 3-pointers made. He now has 218 career triples. He passed Zack Cole for most 3s made in an FLC career Friday night against Colorado State University-Pueblo. Cole held the record with 216 from 1999-2003.
FLC will be back at home next week. The Skyhawks will host Colorado Mesa University (5-3, 1-1 RMAC) at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Whalen Gymnasium.
Women’s Basketball
Women’s BasketballThe Fort Lewis College women’s basketball team suffered its first defeat of the season Friday night to Colorado State University-Pueblo. The Skyhawks took out all their frustrations from that loss on New Mexico Highlands University and picked up an 80-49 victory Saturday in Las Vegas, New Mexico.
After a close start to the game, Highlands held a 13-12 lead with 4 minutes, 30 seconds remaining in the first quarter. From then on, it was all FLC.
The 11th-ranked Skyhawks (6-1, 1-1 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) closed the quarter on a 15-2 run to take a 27-15 lead into the second quarter. Highlands (3-4, 1-1 RMAC) never got back within double digits.
“We were still a little bit passive, but we were able to do enough,” FLC head coach Jason Flores said. “I would have like to see us really put the gas pedal down and be more aggressive both offensively and defensively – especially defensively. ... Overall, it’s a win by 30 on the road and we’ll take it, head back home and keep getting better.”
FLC picked Highland’s defense apart with unselfish play and great ball movement to find wide open looks at the basket. The Skyhawks shot 45 percent from the field.
In Friday’s loss, FLC only got eight points from its bench, but against the Cowgirls the bench provided 38 points led by Jordan Carter, who finished with a team-high 14 points.
“She gave us some good minutes,” Flores said of Carter. “I think, like anyone else, it wasn’t a perfect game, but she gave us some good minutes and production, which we needed. We need to be balanced. We have a couple people who will usually be on top of the scoring column, but to be a good team we need everyone to contribute.”
Vivian Gray finished with 11 points, 10 of which came in the first quarter, and Kayla Herrera added 10 for the Skyhawks.
Briana Clah filled up the stat sheet and finished the night with eight points, nine rebounds and five assists.
As a team, FLC assisted on 24 of its 30 made field goals.
“That’s a big stat. That’s a stat I love to see,” Flores said.
FLC will be back at home next week and will host Colorado Mesa University (8-0, 2-0 RMAC) at 5:30 p.m. Friday at Whalen Gymnasium.
kschneider@durangoherald.com
