Skyhawks shut down Cowgirls, 79-47

DURANGO, Colo. -- February 4, 2006 -- The Fort Lewis College women’s basketball team demolished New Mexico Highlands Saturday night 79-47 in a Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference contest. It was the third highest scoring game for the Skyhawks this season and puts them at 11-10 overall and 8-5 in the league. The loss drops New Mexico Highlands to 6-13 overall and 3-10 in the RMAC.

The Skyhawks defense did not allow the Cowgirls a single field goal until 2:26 remaining in the first half when Sheila Sirmans made a lay-up, but at that point the Skyhawks already led by 24 points. The first half ended with Lauren Redfern’s (Carbondale) jumper putting the Skyhawks up 38-16.

With 17:06 remaining in the second half Erin Kerr (Buckeye, Ariz.) hit a three-pointer putting the Skyhawks up by 21, a lead they would not allow the Cowgirls to come near to. Fort Lewis’ biggest lead came with 2:01 ticks remaining in the game when Jessica Barnes (Tucson, Ariz.) hit a three pointer putting the Skyhawks up by 36 points.

The Skyhawks were led by senior guard Amie Moulton (Chandler, Ariz.) as she netted 18 points, 12 of those coming from long range. Stephanie Kosters (Colorado Springs) and Barnes both netted 14 points each and Redfern was accountable for 11 points.

The Cowgirls best shooter of the evening was Danielle Murphy scoring 17 points, but the Skyhawks defense held the Cowgirls to only a 29.8 percent shooting average for the game. The Skyhawks also had 10 more rebounds then the Cowgirls pulling down 32 rebounds, 28 of those were defensive rebounds.

The Skyhawks shot an impressive 60.9 percent from the floor and was 85.7 percent from the charity stripe. Thirty-two out of the Skyhawks 79 points came from inside the paint.

Fort Lewis will host Mesa State February 10 and Western State February 11. Both games will begin at 6 p.m. and can be heard on KIUP 930 AM and www.radiodurango.com.