GUNNISON, Colo. - Western State Colorado University women's basketball begins the new year on the road. The Mountaineers start 2016 against Chadron State College on Saturday, Jan. 2 before traveling to Denver, Colorado for a Sunday matinee against Regis University.
Western (3-4, 1-4 RMAC) is looking to bounce back after a pair of tough games against Adams State University and Fort Lewis College. The Mountaineers fell to ASU 75-61 and FLC 84-45. However, the holiday break offered the Mountaineers some much need recuperation time and should be fresh to begin the new year.
Western sits sixth in the Mountain Division of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC). Opponents Regis (4-7, 2-3 RMAC) and CSC (2-7, 2-3 RMAC) are fifth and sixth respectively in the Rocky Division.
Sophomore guard
Taylor Long (So., Moreno Valley, California) continues to lead the Mountaineers in scoring and rebounding. Long is averaging 14.6 points per game, which ties for fifth best in the RMAC. Her 7.6 rebounds per game is tied for team best with forward
Sydnie Lengyel (Jr., Tempe, Arizona). The 7.6 rebounds per game mark is also third best in the conference.
The Eagles of Chadron State are coming off a big 83-63 win over UC-Colorado Springs on Dec. 19. CSC is one of the most prolific shot blocking units in the RMAC, averaging a conference best 3.89 blocks per game.
On the scoring end, the Eagles are led by sophomore forward Maka Daysh. The New Zealand native is averaging 15.6 points per game, which is good enough for third best in the RMAC.
Regis enters the weekend having lost to Metro State University Denver in their last game, 69-54. The Rangers will open the weekend against Colorado State University - Pueblo on Saturday.
Regis is the conference's second best free throw shooting team, averaging 76.1 percent from the charity stripe.
Senior guard Bay'lee Purdy leads the Rangers in scoring, averaging 14.1 points per game, which ranks eighth best in the RMAC.
Fans not making the road trip can watch the games live over the internet or follow live stats by clicking the corresponding links at the top of the page.
