DURANGO, Colo. Western Colorado slowed down undefeated Fort Lewis College high powered offense – averaging a Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference team high of 94-points per game – early on in the first half. Regrettably they weren't able to keep them down for long, resulting in them losing 67-89.
 
JUST THE FACTS
Final Score: Fort Lewis def., Western Colorado 89-67.
Records: Western Colorado 2-4, 0-2 RMAC, Fort Lewis 8-0, 2-0 RMAC.
Location: Whalen Gymnasium; Durango, Colo.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• For the first nine-minutes and 22 seconds, neither team was able to gain a significant lead – the biggest lead being four-points, in favor of Fort Lewis. The Mountaineers took a brief lead with 12:46 left on the clock after Mason Black knocked down a pull up jumper, putting the score at 14-12.
• The Skyhawks responded with a three-pointer. Yet, it was matched by Kade Juelfs who knocked down a three-pointer of his own, giving Western a 17-15 lead with 12:09 remaining.
• Shortly after that, Fort Lewis retook the lead and didn't give it back as it slowly grew to 16-points at the 3:10 mark of the quarter. The Mountaineers continued to battle and managed to cut the lead to 13-points before the first half ended – down 31-46 – on two Avery Rembao made free throws. At halftime, Western trailed 33-46.
• The Mountaineers came out firing to start the second half, scoring the first eight-points – on a Juelfs jumper, and a Grant Wilkinson and Rembao three-pointers – cutting the Skyhawks lead to 41-46. Fort Lewis woke up quickly after that going on a 10-2 run, increasing their lead to 56-43.
• From there, Fort Lewis took the game over holding a 10-plus point lead for the remainder of the game, the lead getting as larger as 25-points at one point.

COURT NOTES

• Juelfs and Rembao were the leading scorers this game, each having 14-points apiece. Robel Desta and Gino Corridori also had an impact on the offensive end, scoring 13 and 12-points. Corridori also led the team in rebounds grabbing 11 boards.
• On defense, Syris Williams was the leader in the steal's category picking two pockets.
• As a whole, Western shot 36.9 percent (24-of-65) from the field, 37.5 percent (9-of-24) from three and 100 percent (10-of-10) from the free throw line.
• For the Skyhawks, they shot 56.1 percent (37-of-66) from the field, 38.9 percent (7-of-18) from three and 80 percent (8-of-10) from the free throw line.
• While the final score didn't go the Mountaineers way, they did keep Akuel Kot – scored 12-points – significantly under his scoring average of 27.6.

UP NEXT
Western will return to Paul Wright Gym for their next two game on Friday (Dec. 9) and Saturday (Dec. 10) against Chadron State College (7:30 p.m.) and Colorado Christian University (7 p.m.)