GUNNISON, Colo. – Western Colorado University Women's Basketball officially begins the 2018-19 season this Friday at the Colorado Mesa University Holiday Inn – Airport Thanksgiving Classic in Grand Junction, Colorado. The Mountaineers will have two games at the Thanksgiving Classic, one on Friday and one on Saturday, both starting at noon.
 
Western (0-0, 0-0 RMAC) opens the season against former Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference foe Western New Mexico University at noon on Friday. The Mountaineers will turn around and face Arizona Christian University the following day at noon in Brownson Arena.
 
The Mountaineers will be looking for more production from last year's leading scorer, Katie Dalton. The sophomore forward averaged 10.4 points per game a season ago, while also leading the team in blocks with 26.
 
The Mustangs of WNMU (2-0, 0-0 LSC) enter the weekend having won both games to start the season. WNMU defeated New Mexico Highlands University 50-34 following a 70-68 win over Fort Lewis College.
 
Paulina Rodriguez leads the Mustangs in scoring, averaging 15 points per game.
 
ACU (5-1, 0-0 GSAC) comes into the tournament having won five of their first six games. The Firestorm will face Colorado Mesa on Friday at 5 p.m. before playing the Mountaineers on Saturday.
 
Last season, ACU made it to the first round of the NAIA Division I Women's Basketball Championship Tournament.
 
Leading the Firestorm in scoring is Courtney Christmas. Christmas is averaging 27.8 points per game, while also leading the team in blocks with 21, and steals with 17.
 
Fans unable to make the CMU Holiday Inn – Airport Thanksgiving Classic can follow the Mountaineers in action all weekend live online (live stats, live video).