Mavs Close out Regular Season with Wins over Ft. Lewis, Western
(Clinch No. 7 Seed in RMAC Post-season Tournament)

Mesa State closed out the 2007-2008 regular season with home victories over Fort Lewis and Western State and will now focus on the RMAC post-season tournament to begin next Friday. MSC will enter the eight team tournament as the number 7 seed and will found out their first round opponent following final regular season action Saturday night. MSC will travel to play the number two seed.

MSC clinched their bid Thursday night when they defeated rival Western State College 82-66 behind sophomore Sean Flohr's career high 19 points. Flohr was 7-for-8 from the floor, including 5-of-6 from behind the arc. Flohr scored 13 of his 19 points in the first half helping the Mavs to a 35-26 half-time lead.

Jake Swartzendruber finished with 16 points (5-of-6 from the field, 6-of-6 from the foul line) and a team high seven rebounds. Justin Ashbaugh recorded 15 points, five rebounds, four assists and one blocked shot. Senior Bassey Ekong had 11 points, four rebounds and three assists in his final regular season home game.

MSC started the second half with a 14-5 run and lead by as many as 19 points with 9:38 remaining in regulation. The Mavs shot 46.7 percent from the floor and hit 17-of-19 free throws. The Mountaineers shot 37.3 percent and 18-of-30 from the foul line.

Tuesday night the Mavericks beat west division leader Fort Lewis College 76-71 handing the Skyhawks just their fifth loss of the season (20-5, 15-3).

Justin Ashbaugh led the Mavericks with 21 points and Bassey Ekong posted a double-double off the bench finishing with 11 points and game high 11 boards. Ryan Mathews added 16 points. MSC had six blocked shots in the game, three from Kurt Bangle. Bangle had 7 points, four rebounds and four assists on the night.

MSC will find out late Saturday night who their opponent will be in the first round of the RMAC Shoot-out. First round games will be played at the higher seeds campus. The semifinal and championship game will be played in Pueblo, Colo., March 8-9.

---MAVS---