Box Score DURANGO, Colo. – The Cowboys cut an 18-point deficit to two in the waning seconds of the game, but they could not climb any closer as the New Mexico Highlands University men's basketball team (10-11, 7-10 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) fell to Fort Lewis (14-6, 11-5 RMAC) 96-90 Saturday night (Feb. 8) in Durango, Colo.
The Skyhawks had a 67-50 advantage with 16 minutes left in the game, but eight unanswered by the Cowboys pushed the game back to single digits. Senior
Mannie Cass completed an old-fashioned three before classmate
Lavell McDade hit a pair from the charity stripe. McDade capped the run with a triple with 12:32 left.
For the next eight minutes, the game was played within a three-point spread before the Cowboys cut the game to one possession with seconds remaining. Down by seven with a minute left, Cass hit a triple. After the teams traded baskets, Fort Lewis' Cade Kloster split from the line. Cass was fouled while shooting a triple and made all three free throws to bring Highlands within 92-90 with 25 seconds left.
Fort Lewis hit all four from the free throws line in the waning seconds to secure the victory.
McDade led the Cowboys with 28 points, including a 6-11 mark from beyond the arc. Cass added 17 points while senior
Stargell Love chipped in 13.
