GUNNISON, Colo. – Following a road trip, Western State Colorado University men's basketball returns to Paul Wright Gym for two games this weekend. Friday night at 7:30 p.m. Western takes the floor against South Dakota School of Mines & Technology. On Saturday, the Mountaineers return to the court against Black Hills State University for a 7:00 p.m. tip-off.

To thank our Western community, Mountaineer Athletics and our men's basketball team will be recognizing Faculty and Staff who have influenced our student-athletes prior to Black Hills State game on Saturday.

Additionally, faculty and Staff receive free admission to the game on Saturday. Food and beverage will be provided at a social before the game from 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. in the lobby between Mountaineer Fieldhouse and Paul Wright Gym.

Western (7-12, 5-8 RMAC) returns home after a weekend that saw an overtime loss to UCCS and a strong second half effort in a loss to MSU-Denver. Despite dropping two in a row, the Mountaineers have won three of their last five games. On the season, Western is 5-3 in Paul Wright Gym.

Currently, Western is averaging 82.4 points per game, the fourth highest average in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. For the Mountaineers, much of that offensive quota comes from prodigious production at the three-point arc. On the season, Western is averaging nearly 10 three-point baskets per game.

Behind leading scorer, Ben Beauchamp's 16.4 points per game the Mountaineers have three other players averaging 13+ points per game. Collin Smith continues to score on the regular with a 15.1 average. Quincy Harding and Brady Subart have elevated their game in the second half of the season and now average 14.4 and 13.5 respectively.

Against South Dakota Mines (6-12, 3-10 RMAC) Western finds an opponent on a seven game skid. South Dakota Mines' last win came on December 18^th versus Nebraska Christian College. But, the Hardrockers continue to hold opponents to only 74 points per game. Sharp-shooting Logan Elers leads the RMAC in three-point field goal percentage.

Saturday versus Black Hills State (11-6, 8-5 RMAC) Western faces a much stiffer test. BHSU has won four of their last five games, largely on stingy defense. The Yellow Jackets only allow 66.7 points per game and manage over 71 themselves while limiting turnovers. A trio of Yellow Jackets average in the double-digits led by Fraser Malcolm's 14.2 points per game.

Remember that all of the action from Paul Wright Gym will be broadcast live on Stretch Internet or you can follow the action via the live stats. Both are available on gomountaineers.com.