COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The University of Colorado Colordao Springs' 12-game home winning streak will be put the test tonight in a midseason battle that could play a large part in the conference postseason seeds when the Mountain Lions (10-4, 7-1 RMAC) host Fort Lewis (12-2, 7-2 RMAC) at 5:30 p.m., tonight in the Gallogly Events Center.
Tonight is the only meeting of the season between the two teams, which means that if the teams end up tied at the end of the regular season, the winner will have the advantage in the tournament seeding. The Mountain Lions have won four straight games and seven of their last eight, while Fort Lewis is on a seven-game winning streak since Dec. 3.
The teams split last year's meetings. UCCS won 83-65 on New Year's Day last year in Durango, but the Skyhawks earned a 79-70 victory in the semifinals of the RMAC Tournament in Pueblo, Colo. The year before, UCCS fell on a buzzer-beater in overtime at Fort Lewis. Tonight's game will be the first game for Fort Lewis in the Gallogly Events Center since Dec. 5, 2014, when UCCS won 91-64.
Both teams combine to lead the RMAC in nine different statistical categories this season. The Mountain Lions lead the conference in field goal percentage, three-point percentage, steals and three-pointers made, while the Skyhawks pace the league in field goal percentage defense, three-point percentage defense, rebounding offense, blocked shots and defensive rebounds. Fort Lewis leads the nation with 33 defensive rebounds per game and is second with a defense that allows only 55.9 points per game.
UCCS made 12 of 24 three-pointers last night in an 81-57 victory against Adams State, highlighted by a four-of-four performance by
Chelsea Pearson off the bench. It was the fourth game this season the Mountain Lions have shot 50 percent or better from the three-point line and the first since South Dakota Mines.
Brittany Hernandez scored 12 points last night to increase her career scoring total to 1,313. She needs 22 more to tie B.J. McNeally for third in program history. Hernandez also moved past the 600 career rebound mark last night with six and has 601 in her third season as a Mountain Lion. She needs 60 to tie Jennine Sauter for second in program records.
Hernandez is fourth in the RMAC with 7.8 rebounds per game, and will battle underneath the basketball with Fort Lewis' Alyssa Yocky, who is second in the conference with 9.2 per game. Yocky is scoring 11.4 points per game as one of three Skyhawks with 10 or more points per game. Briana Clah is scoring 15.1 per game for fourth in the RMAC, one spot behind Hernandez with 15.8 per game. Kayla Herrera is scoring 10.8 per contest.
Charlie Botnick will provide the play-by-play action on the UCCS Athletic Network. The game can be seen for free through the Mountain Lion women's basketball Faceook and Twitter pages.
