GUNNISON – Western State Colorado University men's basketball team heads to the Front Range for battles with Colorado Christian University Friday evening, and Colorado School of Mines Saturday. Both games start at seven and can be watch on Stretchinternet.
 
The Mountaineers (4-13, 3-8 RMAC) are coming off a huge win against South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. After trailing by 14 at halftime, Western mounted a comeback to seal the win by 10 points. A huge part of the win was the return of junior Robert Romero, who had missed four games with injuries. Romero, who had four first half points, shot four for four for deep in the second half to finish with 23 points. He also tore down nine boards.
 
Another huge part of the Mountaineers success is the emergence of center C.J Schutt. Schutt stepped up at the turn of the New Year and has led the team in scoring in the past six games with 100 total points. Before the New Year, Schutt scored 62 points in 11 games, but since then has gone off for 100 in six games for more than 16 points per game. In that stretch, Schutt has shot 38 of 60 from the floor (63 percent), 24 of 30 from the foul line (80 percent), has torn down 35 boards and dished out eight assists.
 
Right behind Schutt in scoring in that stretch is deep shooter Ben Beauchamp. Beauchamp put up 99 points in the six game stretch. Beauchamp sunk 20 treys in six games, shooting more than 37 percent from deep. He is shooting 43 percent overall from the field and made 17 of 21 free throws (81 percent). Beauchamp also dished out 14 assists in the stretch and had two key blocks in the win over S.D. Mines.
 
The Mountaineers return home the first weekend of February to take on MSU-Denver and UCCS on Feb. 5^th and Feb. 6^th, respectfully.