GUNNISON, Colo. Western Colorado did everything they could to keep pace with Fort Lewis College. However, without their star player Emmery Wagstaff and only having seven players, the Mountaineers fell 53-69 to Fort Lewis College.
 
JUST THE FACTS
Final Score: Fort Lewis def., Western Colorado 69-53.
Records: Western Colorado 6-16, 5-12 RMAC, Fort Lewis 9-14, 6-11 RMAC.
Location: Paul Wright Gym; Gunnison, Colo.  
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Things were neck and neck early on, as neither team was able to hold onto a lead for an extended period of time. The Skyhawks started the game up 5-0. But, the Mountaineers battled back and went on a 6-0 run to take a one-point lead. Rachel Cockman, Brooklyn Seymour and Kylie Krise each contributed with two-points during the run.  With 2:48 left in the first quarter, Alyza Aikins gave Western their biggest lead in the quarter – four-points – draining a three-pointer. Five players recorded points in the quarter, being led by Cockman and Seymour who each pitched in with four-points.
• The Mountaineers offense cooled off in the second quarter only scoring nine-points. Which led to Fort Lewis taking over the game with 6:59 left before halftime, as they closed out the half on a 10-4 run.
• Things unfortunately stayed the same for Western coming out of halftime. After Caileen Sienknecht hit a three-pointer to start the second half, the Skyhawks went on a 13-3 run, giving them a 42-30 lead. Mia Lozoya hit a three-pointer during that run which briefly slowed down Fort Lewis.
• Lozoya would hit another three-pointer before the third quarter ended, leading to the Mountaineers being down 33-50 heading into the fourth quarter.
• Things completely changed for Western in the fourth quarter, resulting in them outscoring Fort Lewis 20-19. Aikins, Seymour and Cockman were knocking down shots throughout the fourth quarter, Aikins leading with seven-points and Seymour and Cockman each contributing five-points apiece.
• Yet, every time the Mountaineers scored the Skyhawks knocked down a bucket of their own leading to them walking away with the victory.

COURT NOTES

• Aikins and Seymour shouldered the scoring load for Western each pitching in for 10-points. Seymour led the way in the rebounding category grabbing eight rebounds and in blocks, sending back two shots.
• As a team, the Mountaineers shot 39.1 percent (18-of-46) from the field, 32 percent (8-of-25) from three and 60 percent (9-of-15) from the free throw line.
• For the Skyhawks, they were led by Kelsey Sorenson who had 21-points.
• As a team, Fort Lewis shot 40.7 percent (22-of-54) from the field, 45.5 percent (5-of-11) from three and 87 percent (20-of-23) from the free throw line.

UP NEXT
Western returns to the court tomorrow (Feb. 11) hosting Adams State University at 5 p.m.