GUNNISON, Colo. – Western State Colorado University got out to a first half lead over No. 14 Fort Lewis College on Friday night in Paul Wright Gym. The Mountaineers were unable to maintain the lead and fell in a hard-fought game, 76-69.
 
Western (9-15, 7-11 RMAC) got out to a fast start against FLC (20-3, 16-2 RMAC), and led by nine points with 6:34 left in the first half.
 
The Skyhawks connected on a 12-0 run to end the first stanza and take a 35-32 lead into the break.
 
The Mountaineers' first half was fueled by Quincy Harding's 18 points on 7-of-12 (58.3 percent) shooting from the field. Harding ended with a game-high 25 points, while also recording six assists and six rebounds.
 
Western regained the lead early in the second half, but the Skyhawks once again took control. The Mountaineers were unable to break free of FLC and trailed by five, four or three points for much of the second half.
 
Ben Beauchamp and Collin Smith also scored in double figures for the Mountaineers. Beauchamp added 14 points and seven rebounds, while fellow senior Smith scored 12 and brought down six boards.
 
Western will play their final home game of the season Saturday night against Adams State University at 7 p.m. in Paul Wright Gym. The Mountaineers will honor their four seniors, Beauchamp, Smith, Branden Cosby-Lee and Will Duggan, prior to the start of the game.