SILVER CITY, N.M. – With the Western New Mexico University women's basketball team staying right with Fort Lewis College deep into the third quarter, the Skyhawks began to ratchet up the pressure. They went to a press and quickly expanded the lead into double-digits on their way to claiming the 73-62 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference victory Saturday.

WNMU (9-18, 6-15 RMAC) began the game strong moving in front by four on a three-point play by junior Deandra Williams (Rosenburg, TX/Terry ) for the 9-5 lead. FLC (16-10, 12-9 RMAC) regrouped and came back going on a 6-2 run to tie the game at 11 after the first quarter.

Sophomore Jade Botelho (Honolulu, HI/Iolani ) hit on a pair of foul shots and then a layup by junior Desiree Smith (Phoenix, AZ/Tolleson Union ) gave WNMU a quick 4-0 spurt to start the second quarter and a 15-11 lead.

After the Skyhawks were in front by as many as eight, WNMU fought back to go into halftime down just four as senior My'Kale French (Racine, WI/Case ) drilled a three to end the half leaving FLC with the 32-28 lead.

The Lady Mustangs opened the third quarter just like they did the other quarters. Williams, Botelho and junior Jordan Gutierrez (Albuquerque, NM/Valley ) each tallied points on a quick 6-0 run that moved WNMU back in front at 35-34.

The lead once again was back to four with 5:40 to go in the quarter when French connected on a layup for the 41-37 advantage.

Still in front by three a minute later, the Skyhawks began to turn up the pressure. The press helped get them back into the quarter and the game as they finished the final four-plus minutes on a 17-2 run to open a 57-45 lead heading to the fourth.

WNMU was able to outscore FLC 17-16 in the fourth quarter.

Williams played strong all game long for the Lady Mustangs and led the way with a team-high 18 points. She also added nine rebounds. Botelho went for a double-double scoring 15 points and 10 rebounds, while French (11) and Smith (10) also tallied double-digits. Smith had a team-high three assists.

Dallas Dickerson led FLC and all-scorers with 22 points and Astrea Reed chipped in 16.

Both teams shot over 40 percent from the floor with FLC making 26-57 (46), 8-16 (50) on three-pointers and 13-17 (77) at the foul line. WNMU answered with a 23-57 (40), 1-6 (17) on threes and 15-19 (79) at the foul line.
While WNMU had the 36-26 edge on points in the paint, FLC benefited from a strong bench outscoring WNMU 40-4.

WNMU will close the regular season this coming Friday when they host in-state rival New Mexico Highlands at 5:30 p.m.