GUNNISON, Colo. – Riding a four-game win streak, Western Colorado University Women's Basketball returns to the court this weekend. The Mountaineers host Black Hill State University at 5:30 p.m. on Friday and South Dakota School of Mines & Technology at 5 p.m. on Saturday. Both games will be played in Paul Wright Gym.
 
Western (7-2, 3-2 RMAC) is currently ranked 10^th in the South Central Regional Rankings after a sizzling 7-2 start to the season. It's the best start for the Mountaineer Women's Basketball team since the 2007-08 season.
 
In the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, Western has a 3-2 record and is tied for fifth in the standings.
 
The Mountaineer defense has been a catalyst for the early-season success. Western is holding opponents to an average of 52.9 points per game. This ranks second best in the RMAC and is tied for eighth best in the nation.
 
Western leads all RMAC schools and is second in all of Division II in opponent field goal average. The Mountaineers are holding teams to a shooting average of 32.1 percent per game.
 
Katie Dalton and Samantha Coleman have led Western in scoring through the first nine games of the season. Dalton is averaging 11.3 points per game, while Coleman is averaging 10.8 points per game.
 
Tammarrah Gothard has recorded a conference-best 28 steals in nine games, averaging 3.1 steals per game. Gothard's 4.2 assists per game also leads the Mountaineers and ranks fourth best in the RMAC.
 
Friday's opponent, BHSU (8-1, 4-1 RMAC) have also got out to a fast start. The Yellow Jackets are ranked 19^th in the WBCA National Poll and seventh in the South Central Regional Poll. BHSU is tied for third in the RMAC standings with a 4-1 record.
 
Western is 2-7 all-time against BHSU and lost last season's matchup 61-67.
 
BHSU has the fourth-best scoring offense in the RMAC at 71.6 points per game. Leading the offensive charge is Morgan Ham and her 14.8 points per game.
 
SDSMT (4-5, 1-4 RMAC) is on a two-game win streak, after defeating Adams State University to earn the first conference win of the season. The Hard Rockers boast the conference's fourth best defense, allowing opponents 57.9 points per game.
 
Taylor Molstad leads SDSMT in scoring, averaging 10.4 points per game.
 
Western will be looking for their first win against the Rockers in five attempts, having lost both of last season's clashes.
 
Those unable to attend this weekend's games in Gunnison can follow live online by clicking the links above.