GUNNISON, Colo. – Western State Colorado University returns to Paul Wright Gym this weekend for a pair of home games. The Mountaineers host University of Colorado at Colorado Springs on Friday night at 5:30 p.m. before hosting Metro State University Denver at 5 p.m. on Saturday.
 
Western's women's basketball team will also host a free clinic for girls and boys on Saturday before the Metro State game.  The free clinic, from 11 a.m. - 12 p.m., is open to kids ages K-8th and will take place in Paul Wright Gym on the campus of Western State.
 
The clinic is a great way to learn basketball skills from players and coaches alike. All participants will receive an autographed poster, and free admission to Western's game against MSU Denver later that night at 5 p.m.
 
Western (4-11, 3-8 RMAC) enter the weekend 3.5 games out of eighth place in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference standings. The top eight teams make the RMAC Tournament at the end of the regular season.
 
The Mountaineers are 2-3 this season at home and have split their last four home games.
 
Harlie Williams leads Western in rebounding and points. The senior is averaging 8.9 points per game and 4.5 rebounds per game.
 
UCCS (12-5, 9-2 RMAC) are second in the RMAC standings. However, the Mountain Lions are just 3-3 on the road this season.
 
After winning six straight, UCCS was defeated on the road, 70-49, by RMAC leaders CSU-Pueblo.
 
Western will need to be aware of the Mountain Lions' three-point shooting. UCCS has made more three-pointers this season than any other RMAC school.
 
UCCS defeated Western earlier this season, 67-47 in Colorado Springs. Western's last win over UCCS came on Jan. 17, 2009 when the Mountaineers defeated the Mountain Lions 70-65 in Colorado Springs.
 
Brittany Hernandez is UCCS' leading scorer. Hernandez averages 16.2 points per game, which ranks third best in the RMAC.
 
MSU Denver (9-7, 6-5 RMAC) will play Colorado Mesa University on Friday night before traveling to Gunnison. The Roadrunners are in sole possession of seventh place in the conference standings.
 
The Roadrunners are coming off a win over New Mexico Highlands University last Saturday. MSU Denver has a 4-2 record this season on the road.
 
MSU Denver relies on defense to produce results. The Roadrunners are leading the conference in points allowed, holding opponents to an average of just 55.9 points per game.
 
Forward Georgia Ohrdorf leads MSU Denver in scoring, averaging 14.2 points per game. Her scoring average ranks sixth in the conference.
 
Last season, Western pushed MSU Denver into overtime in Paul Wright Gym, but ultimately fell, 77-72.
 
The last time the Mountaineers defeated MSU Denver was in the RMAC Tournament in 2012. Western won by a score of 70-66 in the semifinals of the conference tournament.
 
Fans can follow all the action live online (live stats, live video).
 
For more information on the free clinic, contact:
 
Assistant Coach Stephanie Gehlhausen
Phone: 970-943-2423
Email: sgehlhausen@western.edu