GUNNISON, Colo. – Western State Colorado University women's basketball will be looking for their first conference victory over the weekend. The Mountaineers will travel to New Mexico to face New Mexico Highlands University on Friday night and Western New Mexico University on Saturday.
 
Western (2-1, 0-1 RMAC) opened the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference season last weekend against CSU-Pueblo at home. The Mountaineers' efforts to remain undefeated were thwarted as they fell to the ThunderWolves, 68-48.
 
Last season, Western split the home and away series with both NMHU and WNMU. The Mountaineers won the first meetings at home, but fell on the road in February.
 
Leading Western in scoring is Taylor Long (So., Moreno Valley, California). Long is second in the RMAC averaging 20.0 points per game through the first three games of the regular season. Long is also leading the Mountaineers in field goals made (23), field goals attempted (56), shooting percentage (.411), free throw percentage (.875), offensive rebounds (22) and assists (11). She is also tied for the lead in three-point field goals made (7) and free throws made (7).
 
After starting the season 2-0, NMHU (2-3, 0-1 RMAC) has lost their last three games. The Cowgirls also lost their RMAC opening game last weekend. NMHU fell to rivals WNMU 73-59 at home.
 
Junior guard Michelle Traynham leads the Cowgirls, averaging 17.2 points per game. Traynham ranks third in the RMAC in scoring.
 
WNMU (3-3, 1-0 RMAC) will play Colorado State University – Pueblo on Friday night before welcoming the Mountaineers to Silver City, New Mexico on Saturday.
 
Despite not having a player in the top 10 of scoring in the conference, the Lady Mustangs have five players averaging seven points or more. Junior guard Jada Grady is averaging 8.5 points per game to lead WNMU in scoring.
 
Friday's game against NMHU will begin at 5 p.m. from the John A. Wilson Complex in Las Vegas, New Mexico. For fans unable to attend that game, live stats and free live streaming video will be available online.
 
Saturday's game against WNMU is slated to start at 5:30 p.m. from Drag's Court. Live stats and free live streaming will also be available for this game.