Fort Lewis shot 52.5% from the field and Chadron State hit 39.4% to pretty well tell the story Friday night as the Skyhawks won the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference men’s contest 84-72 in the Chicoine Center in Chadron.
The win gives Fort Lewis a 14-1 season record and an 8-1 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference mark. Chadron State is 8-8 overall and 5-5 in the conference.
Aside from the field goal marksmanship, the statistics were about even. For instance, both teams grabbed 36 rebounds and Chadron State’s 12 turnovers was only one more than the visitors’ total. The Eagles were a solid nine of 20 on 3-point shots while the Skyhawks were five of 15.
Fort Lewis made 15 of its 17 free throws and CSC 11 of 14.
With the game’s leading scorer, forward Isaiah Wyatt, tallying Chadron State’s first 10 points, the Eagles jumped out to a 15-6 lead in the first six minutes and 14 seconds. However, the home team’s luck did not hold on this Friday the 13th. Fort Lewis scored the next 13 points to take a 19-15 lead and was ahead the rest of the way.
The Colorado team led 39-28 at halftime and stretched the margin to 20 points twice in the second half at 52-32 and 60-40. Every time the Eagles put together a run, the Skyhawks seemed to match it.
Five Skyhawks scored in double figures, led by 6-foot-9, 245-pound senior Brenden Boatwright with 19. JaQuaylon Mays added 14, both Akuel Kot and Obi Agbim 13 and Brendan LaRose 11.
Wyatt finished with 23 points to pace the Eagles, followed by Bryce Latimer with 19, all of them in the second half, and Josh Robinson with 13.
Both Chadron State teams will be back in action at home Saturday (Jan. 14) against Adams State starting at 4 p.m. with the women’s game.
The Grizzlies played Colorado Christian in Lakewood on Friday. Adams State won the women’s contest 75-73 while the Cougars took the men’s contest 72-59.
Fort Lewis—Brendan Boatwright 19, JaQuaylon Mays 14, Akuel Kot 13, Obi Agbim 13, Brendan LaRose 11, Sekou Dembele 8, Dunnell Stafford 4, Junior Garbrah 2. Totals: 32-61 (5-15) 15-17 84 points, 36 rebounds, 11 turnovers.
Chadron State—Isaiah Wyatt 23, Bryce Latimer 19, Josh Robinson 13, MJ Foust 6, Marcus Jefferson 3, Jarrett Taylor 3, Pat McLachlan 3, Porter Anderson 2. Totals: 26-66 (9-20) 11-14 72 points, 36 rebounds, 12 turnovers.
Fort Lewis 39 45 —84
Chadron State 28 44 —72
3-pointers: FLC—LaRose 3, Mays 2. CSC—Wyatt 3, Latimer 3, Jefferson 1, Taylor 1, McLachlan 1.