GUNNISON, Colo. – Women's basketball is back in action this weekend at Western State Colorado University. It's a big weekend for the Mountaineers of Western as they host rivals Adams State University and western slope foe Fort Lewis College. Friday night's game against ASU is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. and Saturday's game against FLC will start at 5 p.m., both in Paul Wright Gym.
 
Fans have the opportunity to get into this weekend's games and help children in need by donating a toy to Toys for Tots. Over the course of the week, leading up to Western's games on Dec. 18 and 19, Mountaineer basketball will be accepting toy donations at various locations throughout the Gunnison community. In return for a toy, donators will also receive a free pass to both basketball games on Friday and Saturday in Paul Wright Gym.
 
The objectives of Toys for Tots are to help less fortunate children throughout the United States experience the joy of Christmas; to play an active role in the development of one of our nation's most valuable resources – our children; to unite all members of local communities in a common cause for three months each year during the annual toy collection and distribution campaign; and to contribute to better communities in the future.
 
Along with bringing a toy for donation to the games on Friday and Saturday, fans can go to the following locations to donate their unopened toys and collect game passes. More locations will be announced throughout the week on Western Athletics' Facebook and Twitter accounts.
 
Donation Locations:
Western Athletics Department - Second floor of Paul Wright Gym (Monday - Friday)
The Paper Clip - 107 N Wisconsin St. (Monday - Friday)
Mario's Pizza & Pasta - 213 W Tomichi Ave. (Wednesday 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.)
 
*If you are a business owner and are interested in being a donation location, please contact Garrett Finke at gfinke@western.edu or 970-943-2831.
 
Western (3-2, 1-2 RMAC) returns home after splitting last weekend's road trip in New Mexico. The Mountaineers defeated New Mexico Highlands University last Friday 63-38, earning their first Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference game of the season. Western then traveled to Western New Mexico University the following day and fell to the Lady Mustangs 62-55.
 
Sophomore guard Taylor Long (So., Moreno Valley, California) continues to lead the Mountaineers in scoring, averaging an RMAC second best 16.8 points per game.
 
As a team, Western is keeping opponents off the scoreboard with aggressive defense. Western's defense ranks second in the RMAC in field goal percentage defense. Opponents are averaging just 31.1 percent (96-of-309) shooting from the filed against the Mountaineers.
 
Western is currently fifth in the RMAC's Mountain Division standings.
 
Western's opponent on Friday, ASU (1-5, 0-3 RMAC), heads into the game in search of their first conference win. The Grizzlies are riding a three game losing streak after falling to Colorado Christian University, 73-41, and Colorado School of Mines, 78-62, last weekend. ASU is currently last in the Mountain Division standings.
 
ASU is led by guard Cydney McHenry. McHenry is averaging 11 points per game. The junior also leads the team in steals, assists and three-point field goals made.
 
Saturday, Western hosts FLC (6-2, 2-1 RMAC) at 5 p.m.  Like the Mountaineers, the Skyhawks split last weekend's RMAC games. FLC fell to CSM by one point at home 57-56 before defeating CCU 64-50 the following night.
 
Heading into the weekend FLC is third in the RMAC's Mountain Division. The Skyhawks will travel to Colorado State University – Pueblo on Friday before Saturday's game in Gunnison.
 
FLC features the second best scoring unit in the RMAC, averaging 74.9 points per game. The Skyhawks have three players averaging double figures in scoring. Guard Astrea Reed is averaging 11.9 points per game, while guard Dallas Dickerson is averaging 10.4 and forward Mary Rambo is averaging 10.3.
 
For fans unable to attend that game, live stats and free live streaming video will be available online.