DURANGO, Colo. – Western Colorado University men's basketball led by six early in the second half, but was unable to hold on against Fort Lewis College on Friday night. The Mountaineers fell on the road 63-72 to the Skyhawks.
 
Western (3-13, 0-10 RMAC) opened the scoring with a three-pointer from Brady Subart. The Mountaineers pushed the lead to 13 points, 19-6, following a Cole Sienknecht three-pointer at the 12:37 mark.
 
Subart and Sienknecht were two of four Mountaineers to reach double figures in scoring. Both Subart and Sienknecht notched 13 points while Joran Ticeson added 14 points off the bench and Monroe Porter scored a team-high 16 points.
 
Porter also recorded a game-high 10 rebounds for his first double-double of the season and second of his career. The junior also recorded four steals and five assists.
 
FLC (8-8, 3-7 RMAC) began to chip away at the Western first-half lead and earned their first lead of the game with 6:36 left in the half, 26-24.
 
At halftime, the Skyhawks held a one-point lead, 35-34.
 
Western regained control in the second half and pushed the lead to six points, 42-36, 2:10 into the half.
 
The Skyhawks proceeded to go on a 16-2 run over the following 6:17 to take a 52-44 lead with 11:33 left to play.
 
The Mountaineers were unable to mount a comeback and fell on the road, 63-72.
 
Western continues the season on Saturday at rival Adams State University. The game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. in Plachy Hall.