GUNNISON, Colo. – Following three games in three days last week, Western State Colorado University returns to the hardwood following a short three-day break from competitions. The Mountaineers will be on the road facing rival Adams State University on Friday before traveling to Durango, Colorado for a game against No. 15 Fort Lewis College on Saturday. Both games are scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m.
 
Western (3-5, 1-1 RMAC) is coming off a weekend where the Mountaineers won their first conference game of the season in an overtime thriller, and then led two Division I opponents at halftime in both games.
 
The Mountaineers defeated Westminster College last Saturday in overtime, 79-69. It was the first Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference win of the season for Western. With a 1-1 conference record, the Mountaineers are tied with seven other teams at 1-1 for fifth place in the standings.
 
Following Saturday's game against Westminster, the Mountaineers faced Division I opponent, the University of Northern Colorado on Sunday and Division I opponent, the Air Force Academy on Monday. Both games were exhibitions for the Mountaineers, and in both games Western led at the half.
 
Early in the season, Western has thrived on the three-point shot. The Mountaineers have made the second most three-pointers in the conference and the 33^rd most in Division II this season.
 
Leading Western in scoring is forward Collin Smith. Smith is averaging 17.9 points per game, which ranks sixth best in the conference. Smith has made 23 three-point field goals this season, which ranks fifth most in the RMAC.
 
After losing their first four games of the season, Adams State University enters the weekend on a four-game regular season win streak. The Grizzlies are 2-0 in the RMAC after defeating New Mexico Highlands University and Colorado State University Pueblo last weekend on the road.
 
Western is 1-2 in the last three meetings with ASU (4-4, 2-0 RMAC). The last Mountaineer win in Alamosa came on Feb. 13, 2016 when Western won 99-98 on a buzzer-beater by Will Duggan.
 
The Grizzlies boast one of the conference's best offenses, averaging an RMAC-high 85.9 points per game. However, ASU is also allowing opponents a conference-high 88.8 points per game.
 
ASU has two players averaging over 19 points per game. Shane Johnson is averaging 19.4 points per game, while teammate Brandon Sly is averaging 19.3 points per game. The duo ranks third and fourth in the conference rankings respectively.
 
Saturday's opponent, Fort Lewis College (5-1, 2-0 RMAC), enters the weekend ranked 15^th in Division II.
 
Following a season opening loss to Eastern New Mexico University by one point, the Skyhawks have won their last five. Last weekend, FLC defeated CSU-Pueblo and NMHU each by over 10 points.
 
The Skyhawk offense is not far behind ASU's. FLC is averaging the second most points per game in the conference at 85.7. The Skyhawks have the largest point margin in the RMAC at 14, allowing teams just 71.7 points per game on average.
 
While the Skyhawks don't have a scorer ranked in the conference's top-10, FLC has five players averaging double figures in scoring. Rasmus Bach leads the way at 14 points per game.
 
Western's last win against the Skyhawks came on Feb. 27, 2015 when the Mountaineers defeated FLC 89-85 at home. The Mountaineers have not won in Durango since defeating the Skyhawks 70-60 on Feb. 6, 2009.
 
Fans unable to make the road trip can follow all the action live by clicking the links provided above.