Fort Lewis prevails 96-89 in RMAC quarters
Brendan La Rose of Fort Lewis College blocks a Regis University shot on Tuesday in the quarterfinals of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament at FLC. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
The Fort Lewis College men’s basketball team survived a tough test from Regis University on Tuesday in the first round of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament at FLC.
The No. 7 seeded Rangers jumped out to a 13-3 lead and seemed to have an answer every time No. 2 Fort Lewis started to rally early on. Dunnell Stafford scored eight of Fort Lewis’ first 10 points to keep the Skyhawks close, including a jumper that cut Regis’ lead to 15-10.
Obi Agbim then finished the half strong for FLC, sinking a three, dunking and then turning a steal into a layup just before the buzzer that cut Regis’ lead to 45-42 at halftime.
After an Akuel Kot jumper in the second half cut Regis’ lead to 51-50, Stafford took a steal coast to coast for a layup that gave FLC its first lead of the game, 52-51, with 17:12 remaining. Brenden Boatwright added a put back after snagging an offensive rebound to put FLC up by three. Regis, however, responded with seven unanswered points to take the lead back.
Back-to-back 3-pointers from JaQuaylon Mays followed by a Brendan La Rose trey got the lead back for Fort Lewis, 70-69.
Four tied scores later, Agbim scored two and-one to give FLC an 84-81 advantage with under six minutes left and the Skyhawks never trailed again. It was still a one-basket game with 17 seconds remaining, but Fort Lewis made their last 10 free throws of the contest to help it hold off the Rangers, including four in the waning seconds.
Five Skyhawks scored double-digit points in the game, led by Kot with 25. Agbim scored 22, Stafford had 16 and grabbed a team-high seven rebounds while Boatwright and Mays both scored 13.
La Rose had three blocks for Fort Lewis, including one with FLC leading 86-85 and another huge swat on Regis’ next possession.
FLC will next compete in the semifinals on Friday. The Skyhawks played in the first quarterfinal on Tuesday so their next opponent is still to be determined.
Sekou Dembele of Fort Lewis College blocks a Regis University shot on Tuesday in the quarterfinals of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament at FLC. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
The Fort Lewis College student body cheers on the Skyhawks while playing Regis University on Tuesday in the quarterfinals of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament at FLC. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Akuel Kot of Fort Lewis College puts up a shot while playing Regis University on Tuesday in the quarterfinals of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament at FLC. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Obi Agbim of Fort Lewis College puts up a shot while playing Regis University on Tuesday in the quarterfinals of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament at FLC. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
JaQuaylon Mays of Fort Lewis College is fouled while playing Regis University on Tuesday in the quarterfinals of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Central Tournament at FLC. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Akuel Kot of Fort Lewis College puts up a shot while playing Regis University on Tuesday in the quarterfinals of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament at FLC. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
JaQuaylon Mays of Fort Lewis College plays tough defense against Regis University on Tuesday in the quarterfinals of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament at FLC. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
The Fort Lewis College student body cheers on the Skyhawks while playing Regis University on Tuesday in the quarterfinals of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament at FLC. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Obi Agbim of Fort Lewis College slam dunks the ball while playing Regis University on Tuesday in the quarterfinals of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament at FLC. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Dunnell Stafford of Fort Lewis College puts up a shot over Regis University on Tuesday in the quarterfinals of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament at FLC. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Brendan La Rose of Fort Lewis College puts up a three-point shot over Regis University on Tuesday in the quarterfinals of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament at FLC. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
JaQuaylon Mays of Fort Lewis College puts up a shot while playing Regis University on Tuesday in the quarterfinals of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament at FLC. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Brenden Boatwright of Fort Lewis College puts up a shot against Regis University on Tuesday in the quarterfinals of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament at FLC. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)
Brenden Boatwright of Fort Lewis College is fouled while playing Regis University on Tuesday in the quarterfinals of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament at FLC. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Fort Lewis College plays Regis University on Tuesday in the quarterfinals of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament at FLC. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Brendan La Rose of Fort Lewis College blocks a Regis University shot on Tuesday in the quarterfinals of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament at FLC. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Fort Lewis College student body cheers on their team while playing Regis University on Tuesday in the quarterfinals of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament at FLC. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Akuel Kot of Fort Lewis College puts up a shot while playing Regis University on Tuesday in the quarterfinals of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament at FLC. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Sekou Dembele of Fort Lewis College blocks a Regis University shot on Tuesday in the quarterfinals of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament at FLC. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Obi Agbim of Fort Lewis College puts up a shot while playing Regis University on Tuesday in the quarterfinals of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament at FLC. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
JaQuaylon Mays of Fort Lewis College is fouled while playing Regis University on Tuesday in the quarterfinals of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament at FLC. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Fort Lewis College student body cheers on their team while playing Regis University on Tuesday in the quarterfinals of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament at FLC. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Akuel Kot of Fort Lewis College puts up a shot while playing Regis University on Tuesday in the quarterfinals of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament at FLC. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
JaQuaylon Mays of Fort Lewis College plays tough defense against Regis University on Tuesday in the quarterfinals of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament at FLC. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Obi Agbim of Fort Lewis College slam dunks the ball while playing Regis University on Tuesday in the quarterfinals of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament at FLC. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Brenden Boatwright of Fort Lewis College puts up a shot against Regis University on Tuesday in the quarterfinals of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament at FLC. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Dunnell Stafford of Fort Lewis College puts up a shot over Regis University on Tuesday in the quarterfinals of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament at FLC. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Brendan La Rose of Fort Lewis College puts up a three-point shot over Regis University on Tuesday in the quarterfinals of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament at FLC. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
JaQuaylon Mays of Fort Lewis College puts up a shot while playing Regis University on Tuesday in the quarterfinals of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament at FLC. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
The Fort Lewis College men's basketball team celebrates on Tuesday after defeating Regis University in the quarterfinals of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament at FLC. Fort Lewis is the conference’s regular season co-champion. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Fort Lewis College means head basketball coach Bob Pietrack cuts down the net on Tuesday after defeating Regis University in the quarterfinals of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament at FLC. Fort Lewis cut down the nets to commemorate them being the conference’s regular season co-champion. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
The Fort Lewis College men's basketball team poses for a photo on Tuesday after defeating Regis University in the quarterfinals of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament at FLC. Fort Lewis is the conference’s regular season co-champion. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Fort Lewis College men's head coach Bob Pietrack draws up a play while playing Regis University on Tuesday in the quarterfinals of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament at FLC. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Akuel Kot of Fort Lewis College and his teammates cut down the net on Tuesday after defeating Regis University in the quarterfinals of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Central Tournament at FLC. Fort Lewis cut down the nets to commemorate them being the conference’s regular season co-champion. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Fort Lewis College men's head basketball coach Bob Pietrack, right, and Tyler Danielson, associate head men's basketball coach, celebrate on Tuesday after defeating Regis University in the quarterfinals of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament at FLC. Fort Lewis is the conference’s regular season co-champion. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
