DURANGO, Colo. – The Regis University men's basketball team (7-13, 5-9 RMAC) made the journey to Durango, Colo. this weekend to meet up with conference leading and No. 20 ranked Fort Lewis College (16-3, 11-3 RMAC) in the first game of back to back conference games this weekend. Regis fought hard but was unable to come out with a victory, losing 80-92 to No.20 ranked FLC.

The Rangers came out looking to take down yet another conference leader after as they did earlier this season taking down South Dakota Mines when they had the leading record in the Rocky Division of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.

In the first half, RU jumped out to a five-point lead, 11-6, following buckets from sophomore Dexter Sienko, and junior Noah King. A layup from the Skyhawks midway through the half tied the game at 17 before N. King nailed his second three-pointer of the half putting Regis up 20-17.

Both teams were on fire from beyond the arc with the Rangers knocking down seven three-pointers and FLC connecting on five of their own. With five lead changes in the first half, the game looked like it would go down to the wire. The teams headed into the locker rooms with the Skyhawks holding onto a two-point lead, 40-38.

The hot shooting continued in the second half as both teams traded baskets for the first six minutes of the half with FLC clinging to a 50-49 lead. Senior Kevin Marshall drove the lane and gave RU the 51-50 lead. The lead quickly changed hands as the Skyhawks fought back and took a 57-53 lead coming off an old-fashioned three-point play, connecting on a layup, drawing the foul, and converting the free throw.

FLC extended their lead to 65-59 a few minutes later with their eighth three-pointer of the game. N. King cut the lead to three, with a three-pointer of his own, eight minutes remaining in the game. Freshman Ryan Beisty drew a foul and knocked down both shots from the charity stripe bringing Regis deficit to only two points, 67-69. A 7-0 run from the home team gave the Skyhawks their largest lead of the game, 76-67, with six minutes to go.

The last four minutes was all FLC as everything fell their way, rebounds, shots, and most of all points. The Rangers were unable to hold on, dropping the game by a final score of 80-92. RU shot the ball well going 30-62 from the field (48.4 percent), and hitting 12-28 three-pointers (42.9 percent). Regis outrebounded the Skyhawks 31-28 but it was not enough to hold them off. Four of the Ranger starters scored in double digits led by both N. King and Sienko with 18 points apiece. Freshman Jarrett Brodbeck added 17, and Beisty chipped in with 14. N. King had an incredibly efficient game, going 6-10 (4-4 3-pt, 2-2 FT), grabbing a game-high nine rebounds.

The men's basketball team will now head to Alamosa, Colo. to face the Adams State University Grizzlies (9-10, 8-6 RMAC) tomorrow night at 7 p.m. Be sure to follow the live stream by clicking the Stretch Internet tab at www.regisrangers.com.