By: Nash Loibl, Advanced Graduate Assistant / Strategic Communications
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference announced its latest RMAC Men’s Basketball Player of the Week awards on Monday. Fort Lewis sweeps the latest awards, with senior Biko Johnson claiming the offensive award and redshirt freshman Stewart Erhart earning the defensive honor.
Offensive Player of the Week: Biko Johnson, Fort Lewis (Sr., Guard, Carson, California)
Johnson had another impressive week for the Skyhawks, helping them go 2-0 against South Dakota Mines and Black Hills State. In Thursday’s matchup against South Dakota Mines, Johnson went for a game-high 25 points on 9-of-15 shooting, including a 5-of-8 clip from behind the arc. The guard added five rebounds and one assist, pushing his squad to a dominant 88-54 victory. Johnson followed that with a 19-point outing against a tough Black Hills State team, scoring 11 points from the free throw line. In total, Johnson tallied 44 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and one steal during the week.
Honorable Mention: Came Lowe, Black Hills State; Jalen Thomas, Chadron State; Yaak Yaak, Colorado Mesa; Cade Mankle, Colorado School of Mines; Brevin Walter, CSU Pueblo; Brayden Carter, MSU Denver; KJ LaMonte, New Mexico Highlands; Chase Mayo Harmon, Regis; Keagan Smith, South Dakota Mines; William Becker, UCCS; Trey Anderson, Western Colorado; Simon Akena, Westminster.
Defensive Player of the Week: Stewart Erhart, Fort Lewis (R-Fr., Guard, Fairbanks, Alaska)
Erhart continued to play a leading role in the Skyhawks’ high-pressure defensive scheme, pushing his squad to a dominant 88-54 victory over South Dakota Mines and a gritty come-from-behind win over Black Hills State, 82-73. Erhart was pesky on the defensive end against South Dakota Mines, recording four steals, three defensive rebounds, and one block. Led by Erhart, Fort Lewis forced 20 turnovers and held the Hardrockers to 38.3% shooting. Against Black Hills State, the Fairbanks, Alaska native added three more steals and a block to his season totals while recording a pair of defensive boards. The Skyhawks forced 19 turnovers, including 11 in the first half. With the help of Erhart, the Skyhawks dominated opponents in the turnover battle, winning by a combined 39-13 during the week.
Honorable Mention: John Harge, Adams State; Caelin Hearne, Black Hills State; Zy Wright, Chadron State; Christopher Speller, Colorado Mesa; Markus Pastoric-Straun, Colorado School of Mines; Jake Lafferty, CSU Pueblo; Caleb McGill, MSU Denver; Ezzy Dawson, New Mexico Highlands; Trey Bryant, Regis; William Becker, UCCS; Chase Potter, Westminster.
RMAC Men’s Basketball Approach – Week 10
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference men’s basketball programs are back in the swing of the season, with Week 9 ready to tip off. Colorado School of Mines and Metropolitan State University of Denver, selected as the top two teams in the RMAC Preseason Coaches Poll, remain as the top two teams in the RMAC standings.
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Colorado School of Mines Chosen as 2024 RMAC Men’s Basketball Preseason Favorite
- Colorado School of Mines is the preseason favorite, following the results of the 2024 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Men’s Basketball Preseason Coaches’ Poll. The Orediggers top the preseason poll with 11 first-place votes and 191 total points. The poll was voted on by the league’s head coaches, who were not permitted to vote for their teams.
Keep an Eye On
- Biko Johnson (Fort Lewis) is averaging a league-leading 17.4 points per game. On the season, Johnson is recording 39/35/75 percent shooting splits.
- Tristan Hurdle (Black Hills State) is shooting 49% from three this season on 73 attempts. Nationally, Hurdle’s three-point percentage is fifth.
- William Becker (UCCS) currently leads the league in field goal percentage with an impressive 70%. The forward has won two RMAC Defensive Player of the Week awards and has eight double-doubles on the season.
Win Streaks of Note
| Team |
Streak |
Last Loss |
| Colorado School of Mines |
W6 |
12/19/24 at West Liberty |
| Regis |
W4 |
1/9/25 at Black Hills |
| Colorado Mesa |
W6 |
12/14/25 at Colorado School of Mines |
Three Programs in D2CSC South Central Region Rankings
- Colorado School of Mines, MSU Denver, and Fort Lewis are ranked in the latest DII College Sports Communicators (D2CSC) South Central Region Rankings. Colorado School of Mines holds the No. 1 spot, while MSU Denver and Fort Lewis grab the No. 2 and No. 10 ranks, respectively.
- Colorado School of Mines and MSU Denver are also ranked in the D2CSC National Top 25. The Orediggers continue to hold the sixth overall position with an overall record of 14-2. MSU Denver claims the 11th position, moving up six spots from last week’s rankings.
- UCCS received votes in the regional rankings but are not within the top 10.
Colorado School of Mines Ranked Seventh Nationally in the Latest NABC Poll
- Colorado School of Mines moves up five spots, claiming the seventh overall spot in the latest National Association of Basketball Coaches Poll. Boasting an impressive six game win streak and the top spot in the RMAC, the Orediggers have been clicking on all cylinders this season.
- MSU Denver bumps up six spots in the NABC Poll, earning the 13th spot. The Roadrunners sit second in the RMAC this season but have a showdown against Colorado School of Mines next on their schedule.