It was a good effort for WNMU for most of the game, but in the end, depth and athleticism wore the Mustangs down as visiting Fort Lewis College, ranked 10th in the latest ESPN College Coaches Poll, cruised to a 79-52 victory Thursday night in Silver City. The win pushed the Skyhawks to 18-2 (8-1 RMAC) while the Mustangs slipped to 4-10 (4-4 RMAC).
WNMU trailed by nine at the half, 41-32, despite connecting on one more field goal than the Skyhawks. Unfortunately, the visitors went 12 for 14 from the free throw line, while WNMU visited the charity stripe just once.
The 'Stangs were able to keep close to that nine-point margin for the first five or six minutes into the second before the Skyhawks constant rotation of players and pressure half-court defense took its toll on the Mustangs. FLC's lineup was too tall inside to allow enough quality shots as WNMU managed just 36.8 percent from the floor. Fort Lewis ended the game at 52.9 percent.
Fort Lewis also shot an impressive 6 for 13 from three point land which the Mustangs could not match.
WNMU's
Audra Major (Socorro, NM, Socorro High School, Midland Community College) and
Shatwa Morris (Las Cruces, NM, Mayfield High School) continued their strong play, scoring 19 and 18 points respectively. Morris went 8 for 10 from the field.
Fort Lewis was led by Alison Roswel's 21-point effort.
The Mustangs return to Drag's Court Saturday as they entertain Adams State. Game time is 6:00pm.
