GUNNISON, Colo. – After a weekend on the road, Western State Colorado University returns to Paul Wright Gym in consecutive games against the South Dakota contingent of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. Friday, Western takes the floor against South Dakota School of Mines at 5:30 p.m. On Saturday, the Mountaineers challenge Black Hills State University, currently ranked third in the RMAC, at 5:00 p.m.
To thank the Western and Gunnison communities, Mountaineer women's basketball hosts Mentor Appreciation Night on Friday before joining Mountaineer Athletics in recognizing Faculty and Staff on Saturday versus Black Hills State.
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 (6-13, 3-10 RMAC) looks to halt a four game slide with a win Friday night. The Mountaineers are 1-5 at home, but have lost several tight games in Paul Wright Gym. With less than 10 games remaining in the regular season, a strong home crowd could boost the Mountaineers. On the season, Western has allowed an average of 61.2 points per game, significantly below South Dakota School of Mines' offensive average.
In recent weeks, freshman
Samantha Coleman has produced a steady offensive attack with flourishes of double-digit scoring. Now the third-leading scorer on the team, Coleman joins fellow freshman
Jessie Erickson and
Katie Dalton in managing the scoring load for Western.
South Dakota School of Mines (12-7, 7-6 RMAC) comes to Paul Wright Gym on a two-game skid, but has won three out of their last five games. A potent offensive team, South Dakota Mines is the second best scoring team in the RMAC, averaging 69.4 points per game. The Hardrockers work on both ends of the court, evidenced by their 9.1 point margin on the season. With four women averaging 10+ points per game, the 'Rockers have several weapons to choose from.
On Saturday versus Black Hills State University (15-4, 9-4 RMAC) the challenge does not get easier. With a four game win streak on the line, Black Hills State comes to Gunnison with a 2-3 road record. The best offense in the RMAC, the Yellow Jackets score 69.9 points per game on 43% shooting. BHUS is led by Rachel Erickson's 13.3 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.
