GUNNISON, Colo. – Following a long road trip to Nebraska, Western State Colorado University women's basketball returns home for a two-game stand. Western tips-off the weekend on Friday at 5:30 p.m. versus Colorado Christian University. Saturday, the Mountaineers return to the court at 5:00 p.m. for a game against Colorado School of Mines.
 
Western, (6-9, 3-6 RMAC) heads into the weekend on the upswing, having won two of their last three games. Last weekend, the Mountaineers split a road series, dropping a close game against Regis University before holding on to a late win at Chadron State College.
 
Entering the heart of the conference schedule, Western continues to rely on a rotating lineup and strong play from a trio of freshman. Together they cover most dimensions of the Mountaineers game. Forward Katie Dalton continues to average over 10 points per game and has 15 blocks on the season. Guard, Jessie Erickson leads Western on the boards with 5.7 rebounds per game while Samantha Coleman adds a steady scoring presence, netting 7.4 points per game.
 
Against Colorado Christian (4-9, 2-6 RMAC) Western sees a team that started the new year with a loss to Westminster College. Statistically, the Cougars are being outscored by opponents by over 8 points per game and offer up a negative rebounding margin as well. Offensively, CCU's primary scoring threat is Jordan Baer who is averaging 11.5 points per game in 13 starts.
 
Loose with the rock, CCU averages 18.5 turnovers a game, leaving ample opportunity for Western to capitalize on points off turnovers. Guard Tammarrah Gothard has the most steals in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference with 38 on the season.
 
Colorado School of Mines (9-5, 6-2 RMAC) offers a stiff test for Western on Saturday. The third ranked team in the RMAC, Mines averages over 66 points a game while holding opponents to 34% shooting. The leading defensive rebounding team in the RMAC, the Orediggers will look to limit second-chance for the Mountaineers.
 
Nicole Archambeau leads Mines in scoring at 13.8 points per game while Emily Bailey follows closely behind with 12.6 points per game giving Mines a dangerous scoring tandem.
 
For those who can't catch the action live from Paul Wright Gym, live stats will be available along with streaming coverage.