DURANGO, Colo. – Although the Western New Mexico University men's basketball team wasn't able to take a lead against No. 21 Fort Lewis College, they made the game close throughout before the Skyhawks were able to hold off any comeback for the 83-67 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference win Friday night.

WNMU (1-16, 1-11 RMAC) utilized advantages on points in the paint (28-22), fastbreak points (14-8) and bench points (20-19) to stay with FLC (14-3, 9-3 RMAC).

With the Skyhawks out to an early 12-4 lead, Willie McCray (Clovis, NM/Clovis/Westwind Prep Academy ) began to take over posting a layup and then three foul shots to trim the deficit to three. Adam Kesler (Silver City, NM/Silver) then split a pair from the foul line leaving FLC ahead by just two, 12-10, nearly six minutes into the first half.

FLC then threatened to run away with the game going on a 19-0 run over the next nine minutes to open a 31-10 lead.

The Mustangs kept fighting as they responded with a 9-0 run started by a Steven Loucks (Yuma, AZ/Cibola) three-pointer. Carter Aby (San Tan Valley, AZ/Combs) posted a layup and after a pair of free throws by Loucks, Aby capped the run with a layup. WNMU had the deficit to within 10 a couple of times down the stretch before FLC took a 38-26 lead into halftime.

Following a run by the Skyhawks that had their lead to the largest of the night at 24, WNMU refused to go away. Jordan Enriquez (El Paso, TX/Bel Air ), Kesler and Loucks all combined for key baskets to bring WNMU back to within 13 at 65-52 with 8:34 to play.

With still 3:34 to play, McCray had WNMU to within single digits at 71-62 coming away with a fastbreak layup.

FLC curtailed the run with a 5-0 spurt to put the game out of reach and hold on for the victory.

McCray led the way for the Mustangs with 15 points, going 7-8 from the foul line and 4-7 from the field. Enriquez came off the bench to chip in 14 points, while Loucks and Kesler added 12 points apiece. Loucks pulled down a team-high nine rebounds.

Joshua Blaylock led the Skyhawks with 21 points, going 7-10 from the field.

WNMU went 20-59 (34) from the field and 4-20 (20) from three-point range. They shot well again at the foul line making 23-28 (82). FLC went 26-60 (43) from the field and a 12-31 (39) clip from three-point land. At the foul line they make 19-24 (79).

WNMU will close the weekend trip tomorrow night at Adams State University beginning at 7:30 p.m. New Mexico Highlands held on to defeat the Grizzlies, 100-91, earlier tonight.