The Fort Lewis College men’s basketball team jumped out to a 10-0 lead, extended it to 20-2 and never looked back on Friday night against Northern New Mexico College. The Skyhawks eventually prevailed 88-63 over the Eagles to improve to 3-0 overall. Northern New Mexico slid to 2-6.
The game was FLC’s home opener and was also part of the Nike N7 Games and Skyhawks Hardwood Classic. FLC was also scheduled to play Texas Permian Basin at 5 p.m. Saturday in the Hardwood Classic as this paper was going to press.
“It is so nice to finally be back home in Whalen,” FLC Head Coach Bob Pietrack said. “We have such an amazing small college basketball environment to compete in. Credit to Northern New Mexico, they are an NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) institution, and they played hard tonight. I believe our guys did an excellent job of setting the defensive tone early and putting us in a strong position to win. With the Nike N7 games tonight, I also want to express how proud our program is to be one of just 11 institutions across the country to partake in the event. These guys are proud to wear turquoise jerseys. So many of their friends, extended family, classmates and fellow Skyhawks come from Native American backgrounds and communities. To be able to represent all of those in our community and across the country is a special honor.”
The FLC men and women teams both wore turquoise Nike N7 uniforms during their games Friday as the color represents harmony, friendship and fellowship in the Native American culture.
Akuel Kot scored 15 points in the first half and finished with 19 to lead FLC. Kot and Brendan La Rose both hit 3-pointers early while Brenden Boatwright knocked down a pair of field goals to spark the team’s opening 10-0 run.
After Northern New Mexico got on the scoreboard with a jumper, Junior Garbrah knocked down a 3-pointer and then Kot did the same.
FLC took its biggest lead of the half, 46-22, on a Sekou Dembele layup and eventually took a 50-27 lead into halftime.
The Skyhawks extended their lead to start the second half. Dunnell Stafford hit a jumper in the paint and then Kot hit a jumper to put FLC up 27, 54-27.
FLC maintained a 20-point lead or more the rest of the way. The Skyhawks took their biggest lead of the game, 79-51, with a 10-2 run. Obi Agbim sunk a jumper and then made two free throws. The Eagles then got a bucket, but Trevor Trost responded with a pair of 3-pointers to give FLC a 28-point lead.
Trost and Garbrah both finished with 11 points for FLC. Brendan La Rose and Agbim both scored 10. Dembele scored 9 points to go along with 12 rebounds, and Boatwright scored 8 in the 88-63 victory.
Jamal Harris led Northern New Mexico with 14 points and 4 steals. Guillem Garcia scored 12 and Conner Kelly added 10.
Kot is now averaging 23.3 points per game, the third most in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. Dembele is averaging 7.5 rebounds per game, also among the conference leaders, while the team is averaging 83.7 points per game, which ranks second in the RMAC.
The Skyhawks are also second in the RMAC in 3-point field goals, shooting 41.5% as a team, and second in turnover margin with a +4.67 mark.
