GOLDEN, Colo. Western Colorado will attempt to extend their winning streak to three-games on Sunday (Dec. 18) when they take on undefeated  – in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) contest – and No. 18 ranked Colorado School of Mines.
 
MOUNTAINEERS HEADING INTO THE WEEKEND | SEASON STATS | RMAC STATS | RMAC STANDINGS

• Western is coming off a strong weekend, after they beat Chadron State 56-54 and Colorado Christian 52-39. With those pair of wins the Mountaineers have a 2-2 RMAC record, which puts them tied with, New Mexico Highlands, Colorado Christian, Regis, and MSU Denver.  
• Four games into RMAC play, Western has the 13th ranked offense averaging 56.5-points per game (PG). They are led offensively by Emmery Wagstaff who averages 14-points PG (10th in RMAC) and Rachel Cockman who scores 13-points PG (15th in RMAC). Cockman in fifth in the RMAC in field goal percentage (52.5%) and Wagstaff is eighth in the RMAC in three-point percentage (32%). At the free throw line Hayley Valencia is shooting 68.8 percent which is 15th best in the RMAC.
• On the defensive end, the Mountaineers have the third best defense only giving up 59.5-points per game. Valencia is leading the team in rebounds, averaging 7.8 PG – 24 defensive and seven offensive – which is eighth best in the RMAC. Cockman is also a solid rebounder for Western grabbing 5.5 rebounds which is 25th best in the RMAC.Cockman is also one of the better shot blockers in the RMAC, blocking 1.0 shots PG which is tied four fourth. Natalie Sumrok is not far behind with 0.7 blocks (sixth in RMAC).

OREDIGGERS HEADING INTO THE WEEKEND | SEASON STATS 

• Colorado School of Mines has been on fire this season, currently holding an 8-1 overall record – only losing to Nebraska-Kearney 47-59. At the moment the Orediggers are on a six-game winning streak, recently beating South Dakota Mines (Dec. 9) 70-52 and Black Hills State (Dec. 10) 75-47.
• On offense, Colorado School of Mines has one of the better offenses in the RMAC averaging 72-points PG which is second best. The majority of the scoring comes from Megan Van de Graaf who averages 13.5-points PG (12th in RMAC) and Ashley Steffeck who scores 12.8-points PG (17th in RMAC). Van de Graaf is the best field goal percentage shooter for the Orediggers making 51.1 percent of her shots (seventh in RMAC). When it comes to knocking down shots at the free throw line, Steffeck is lethal shooting a perfect 100 percent from the line – making 20-of-20. 
• Defensively, Colorado School of Mines has best defense in the RMAC only giving up 55-points PG. On the glass, Sammy Van Sickle is one of the top rebounders in the RMAC grabbing eight rebounds PG, which is tied for sixth in the RMAC. Van de Graaf and Steffeck also go after the ball off the glass, grabbing 6.8 (12th in RMAC) and 6.5 (13th in RMAC).
• When it comes to blocking shots, Steffeck is tied for fourth in the RMAC with 1.0 PG and right behind her blocking 0.8 shots (fifth in RMAC) is Van Sickle. Van Sickle may not be top in blocked shots. However, she is the best on ball defender in the RMAC recording 3.8 steals PG. The same can be said about Steffeck who is tied for second in steals with 2.8 PG.