Post problems persist in loss to Fort Lewis

The lack of an inside presence that has repeatedly hurt the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs men's basketball team this season hurt them again Friday night in Durango, Colo.

The Fort Lewis Skyhawks (15-6, 10-4 RMAC) defeated the Mountain Lions 92-65, playing one more refrain in what has become an old and tired tune. Fort Lewis post men Rob Gunkelman and Nick Brooks combined for 26 points on 10-for-14 shooting.

Before the season began, centers Chris McGowne and Reed Peuser both suffered what turned out to be season-ending injuries. Since then, Davis Goodenberger, Ben Roberts and Jim Pecic - all of whom should be playing power forward (or even small forward) - have done an admirable job manning the center position. But while their effort has been good, they are often physically outmatched as they were Friday night.

Aggravating the situation was the foul trouble in which CU-Colorado Springs' best interior presence, Jack Bain, found himself. Bain, the RMAC's leading rebounder, was whistled for three fouls - two of the "soft" variety - in the game's first five minutes. He picked up his fourth early in the second half and finally fouled out with four minutes remaining.

While Bain managed to play 32 minutes, he was unable to be the physical force he has been all season. He had 11 points and eight rebounds, both below his season norms, and was forced to hold back defensively.

Jimmie Pack led CU-Colorado Springs (3-18, 2-12) with 15 points, while Trey White added 10.

Fort Lewis shot 59.5 percent in the first half, opening a 55-37 lead from which CU-Colorado Springs could not recover.