GUNNISON, Colo. – Western State Colorado University men's basketball team open up its non-conference schedule with two games in the Arkansas-Fort Smith Classic this weekend. The team will play host school Arkansas-Fort Smith Friday evening, then will take on Rogers State University Saturday at 7 p.m.
 
The new look Mountaineers are coming off their first competition Monday evening in an exhibition game against Division I opponent Utah Valley University. For many of the Mountaineers it was their first game in Crimson and Slate as the team boasts 10 new players and four returners.
 
Robert Romero paced Western State against Utah Valley with 13 points. He made half of his shots from the field, including two from beyond the arc.
 
Also for the Mountaineers, Danny Hopkins and Tom Folsom had eight points each. Hopkins did his damage from the line, making six of eight free throws.
 
Western State opens home play November 20-21, when it hosts the Comfort Inn Classic with Eastern New Mexico, Cameron and Colorado Mesa. The Mountaineers will play Eastern New Mexico at 7:30 p.m. Friday, and Cameron on Saturday at the same time.