GUNNISON – Western State Colorado University men's basketball team hosts Black Hills State University and South Dakota School of Mines Friday and Saturday, respectfully, in the Paul Wright Gymnasium. The Black Hills game kicks off at 7:30 p.m., while the South Dakota Mines game starts at 7 p.m.
 
Senior Danny Hopkins continues to lead the Mountaineers down the conference stretch, averaging more than 13 points per game. Hopkins has record two double-doubles this season, including one last weekend against Western New Mexico.
 
The next scorer for the Mountaineers is deep shooter Ben Beauchamp. Beauchamp averages more than a dozen points per game, and is shooting 40 percent from beyond the arc.
 
Also for the Mountaineers, center C.J. Schutt has found his stroke down low, scoring a team-high 54 points in three games. He has recorded four straight games of shooting over 50 percent from the field, making 21 of 29 shots in three games and eight of 11 from the foul line in that stretch.
 
Both opponents come in with identical records of 7-6, 5-4 RMAC. This will be the third matchup between Western State head coach Bradd Schafer and his former team, Black Hills State. The first two matchups ended in close Mountaineer losses.