Skyhawks survive test from Regis

Brendan La Rose of Fort Lewis College blocks a Regis University shot on Tuesday in the quarterfinals of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament at FLC. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald)cca

The Fort Lewis College men’s basketball team survived a tough test from Regis University on Tuesday in the first round of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament at FLC.

The No. 7 seeded Rangers jumped out to a 13-3 lead and seemed to have an answer every time No. 2 Fort Lewis started to rally early on. Dunnell Stafford scored eight of Fort Lewis’ first 10 points to keep the Skyhawks close, including a jumper that cut Regis’ lead to 15-10.

Obi Agbim then finished the half strong for FLC, sinking a three, dunking and then turning a steal into a layup just before the buzzer that cut Regis’ lead to 45-42 at halftime.

After an Akuel Kot jumper in the second half cut Regis’ lead to 51-50, Stafford took a steal coast to coast for a layup that gave FLC its first lead of the game, 52-51, with 17:12 remaining. Brenden Boatwright added a put back after snagging an offensive rebound to put FLC up by three. Regis, however, responded with seven unanswered points to take the lead back.

Back-to-back 3-pointers from JaQuaylon Mays followed by a Brendan La Rose trey got the lead back for Fort Lewis, 70-69.

Four tied scores later, Agbim scored two and-one to give FLC an 84-81 advantage with under six minutes left and the Skyhawks never trailed again. It was still a one-basket game with 17 seconds remaining, but Fort Lewis made their last 10 free throws of the contest to help it hold off the Rangers, including four in the waning seconds.

Five Skyhawks scored double-digit points in the game, led by Kot with 25. Agbim scored 22, Stafford had 16 and grabbed a team-high seven rebounds while Boatwright and Mays both scored 13.

La Rose had three blocks for Fort Lewis, including one with FLC leading 86-85 and another huge swat on Regis’ next possession.

FLC will next compete in the semifinals on Friday. The Skyhawks played in the first quarterfinal on Tuesday so their next opponent is still to be determined.