Skyhawks fall to Mesa in OT

Akuel Kot of Fort Lewis drives to the basket on Saturday night while playing Colorado Mesa University at FLC. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)cca

Colorado Mesa University snapped the Fort Lewis College men’s basketball team’s eight-game winning streak on Saturday, but the Mavericks needed an extra period to do it.

With playoff seeds on the line, Mesa prevailed in overtime, 81-75, winning both team’s regular season finale in front of a full house at Whalen Gymnasium.

Fort Lewis took a seven-point lead, 66-59, with 3:46 left after Riley Farris hit three free throws. Mesa then went on an 8-0 run. Farris hit a late jumper to put FLC back in front. After Mesa made a field goal, Jacquess Hobb went 1-of-2 from the free-throw line to tie the game with eight seconds left and send it into overtime.

There were four lead changes in overtime. Trailing 77-75 with 26 seconds left, Akuel Kot made a move and tried to tie the game with a lay up, but his shot was blocked and Mesa was able to seal its victory at the free-throw line.

The Skyhawks will now be the No. 3 seed for the upcoming Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference tournament, hosting a first-round quarterfinal on Tuesday. Mesa secured the No. 2 seed with its win.

Colorado Mesa also won the women’s game, 77-54.

FLC started the fourth with five points from Kelsey Sorenson and Alyssa Adams to cut Mesa’s lead to 55-45, but the Mavericks responded with a 15-0 run and never looked back.