DURANGO, Colo. – The Colorado Mesa men's basketball team closed out the regular season with an 84-80 loss at Fort Lewis Saturday (March 1). Mesa falls to 13-13 overall and 11-11 in the league after splitting the season series with the Skyhawks.

The game featured two of the best big men in the RMAC. CMU's Ryan Stephan and FLC's Alex Herrera each finished with a game-high 22 points and seven rebounds.

Mesa shot 39-percent (11-28) in the first half compared to 54-percent (18-33) for Fort Lewis who led 44-29 at the half. The Mavericks turned the tide in the second half shooting 54-percent (18-33) and holding the Skyhawks to 31-percent (7-22).

Fort Lewis's lead grew to a game-high 19 points with 12 minutes remaining, but Mesa would not give up.

The Mavericks methodically chipped away at the Skyhawk lead. Fort Lewis made its last field goal of the contest with six minutes remaining leading by 13. The Mavericks kept inching closer with the Skyhawks staying in the game thanks to free throws. FLC shot 30-36 from the line while CMU finished 15-18.

Landon Vermeer tied the game at 79 with a lay-up with 30 seconds remaining.

Fort Lewis answered with four straight free throws to lead 82-79 with eight seconds remaining.

Joe Kiely made one of two free throws while Fort Lewis made a pair to end the game.

Jerry Duckworth finished with a season-high 18 points, including three 3-pointers.

Mike Melillo was the third CMU player to score in double figures with 10 points.

Fort Lewis finished with a 40-28 advantage in rebounds.

Mesa will play on the road Tuesday (March 4) in the opening round of the RMAC Tournament.