Mesa State improved to 18-1 overall and a perfect 12-0 in RMAC action with a 87-80 overtime victory over Fort Lewis College in front of 2,604 fans at Brownson Arena Friday night. The loss dropped the Skyhawks to 15-5, 9-3 RMAC.
MSC out-scored the Skyhawks 13-6 in overtime after the two teams battled to a 74-74 tie at the end of regulation. FLC erased a nine point deficit (61-70) with 3:28 remaining with an 11-4 run to close out regulation.
The Skyhawks’ Matt Morris’ layup with 17 seconds left gave FLC a 74-73 lead. MSC’s Mike Dominguez hit 1 of 2 free throws with 10 second remaining to send the game in to overtime.
Senior Jase Herl scored 5 of his 11 points in overtime and three of his team high 8 rebounds in OT. Nine of MSC’s 13 overtime points came from the free throw line. MSC was perfect from the foul line hitting 9 of 9 in the extra period.
Mike Dominguez led all players with 35 points, including 23-first half points. Dominguez was 6 of 8 from the 3-point line and 7 of 10 in the first half. He pulled down four rebounds and finished with four assists, 2 blocked shots and two steals.
Herl posted 11 points, a team high eight rebounds and four assists. Herl and Dominguez played 41 minutes each.
Michael Bear recorded 15 points, five rebounds and four blocked shots. Bear was 5 of 6 from the floor and from the foul line.
Justin Ashbaugh was the fourth Maverick in double digits with 11 points (5-5 free throws) and four rebounds.
FLC had four players in double figures led by Matt Billups’ 21 points. Matt Morris posted a double-double scoring 10 points and grabbed a game high 11 rebounds.
MSC shot 44.9 percent (22-49) from the floor and a season high 35 of 40 from the foul line.
FLC shot 41.5 percent (27-65) and hit 11 of 27 from beyond the arc. MSC was 8 of 19 from the 3-point line.
The nationally ranked Mavs will host Adams State Saturday at 7 p.m.
Listen to the game live on KEXO 1340 AM and via the internet at www.mesamavs.com.
The game can also be watched on B2 Networks (subscription) or viewed on live stats by going to www.mesamavs.com and click on the media center link.