GUNNISON, Colo. – Following a quick holiday break, Western Colorado University Women's Basketball returns to action this weekend in Colorado Springs, Colorado for a pair of games against non-conference opponents. The Mountaineers face St. Edward's University (Texas) and the University of Wisconsin-Parkside in the Gallogly Events Center on the campus of the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs.
 
Friday, Western faces St. Edward's and Saturday, the Mountaineers go up against Wisconsin-Parkside. Both games are scheduled for 1 p.m.
 
Western (5-2, 3-2 RMAC) enters the weekend having won two-straight games and is tied for fifth in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Standings.
 
It's the best start to a season in over a decade for the Mountaineers through the first seven games. Western started 6-1 during the 2007-08 season.
 
Much of Western's success this season can be credited to the Mountaineers' effort on the defensive side of the ball. Western is holding opponents to just 51.6 points per game, which ranks best in the RMAC and sixth in all of Division II.
 
Tammarrah Gothard is leading Western with 20 steals, averaging 2.9 steals per game.
 
Offensively, Katie Dalton leads the Mountaineer scoring attack. Dalton is averaging 11.6 points per game from the post, while also leading the team in blocks with eight.
 
Friday's game with St. Edward's will be the second time the two schools have faced each other. SEU won that initial meeting.
 
The Hilltoppers are 8-4 this season, but have dropped their last three.
 
SEU has a three-pronged scoring attack, led by Isabel Hernandez's 16.1 points per game. Teammate Maryam Wilcher adds 12.8 points per game and Bailey Hill is scoring 10 points per contest.
 
Saturday will be the first game played between Western and Wisconsin-Parkside.
 
The Rangers are 3-6 this season with a 2-2 record against Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Opponents.
 
UWP has lost two-straight, including a 32-81 loss in an exhibition game with the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.
 
The Rangers are scoring just 59 points per game, while allowing opponents an average of 70.2 points.
 
Ali Bettencourt leads UWP with 20.7 points per game.
 
Those unable to make the weekend's games can follow live online (live stats, live video).