GUNNISON, Colo.  A lot has to play out in order for Western Colorado to make the Rock Mountain Athletic Conference tournament. However, they have a chance and at the very least just need to win one game against Colorado Mesa (Feb. 24) or Westminster College (Feb. 26).

RMAC NCAA PI Standings

Western RMAC tournament scenario – (UCCS, 7th), (Adams State, 8th)
Due to Covid-19 and inclement weather some teams in the conference were unable to play all of their regular season games this season, meaning the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference had to go to a NCAA performance indicator spreadsheet in order to determine seeding in the standings. Displayed below is what needs to happen in order for the Mountaineers to make the tournament.

Mountaineers jump to 7th place
In order for Western to move to seventh place they would need, Adams State to lose to Colorado Mines and Regis. They would also need UCCS to win against New Mexico Highlands and lose to South Dakota Mines. The Mountaineers could split their games this weekend against Colorado Mesa and Westminster…if Westminster defeats Fort Lewis (15th place), moving them to the A group (See RMAC NCAA PI Standings above). In this scenario, Adams would be out of the playoff being edged out by UCCS.
Additionally, if UCCS and Adams State both lose out, Adams State would grab the eight seed and UCCS would be out. The Mountaineers could secure the seventh seed if they win out and Adams State loses to Colorado Mines. If Adams State wins out they lock up the seventh seed.

Mountaineers sneak in at 8th place
To grab the eight seed, Adams State could lose to Colorado Mines and beat Regis. Then UCCS could win out, defeating New Mexico Highlands and Regis. Western would only need to defeat either Colorado Mesa or Westminster…and similar to the previous scenario would need Westminster to defeat Fort Lewis, moving them to a A-group team. In this scenario, Adams State would be in seventh place and Western in eighth place. UCCS being out even though they won out since they beat teams with losing records.

MOUNTAINEERS HEADING INTO THE WEEKEND | SEASON STATS

• Western will need to have a playoff mentality for their final games of the season if they hope to make the RMAC – currently sitting in ninth place.
• The Mountaineers are led by Emmery Wagstaff who has averaged 12.8-points per game this month. Katie Dalton is the next highest scorer scoring 11.5-points.
• This month Western has scored 58.7-points per game, and given up 62.8-points. The Mountaineers have made 41.9-percent from the field, 35-percent from three and 62.3-percent from the free throw line.

MAVERICKS HEADING INTO THE WEEKEND | SEASON STATS

• Colorado Mesa will look to finish the season on a strong note and maintain their second place standing, currently riding a nine-game winning streak after defeating #13 Colorado School of Mines 81-74 on Saturday, Feb. 19.
• Daniella Turner took over the game on Saturday, scoring 28-points, and had help from Mariah Martin who had 20-points, Sophie Anderson who had 13-points and Monica Books who had 10-points. Martin and Turner have been the leading scorers for the Mavericks this season averaging 21 (No. 2 RMAC) and 20.3-points (No. 3 RMAC) per game.
• Defensively, Kelsey Siemons has been solid in the paint blocking 2.3 shots (No. 2 RMAC) per game and is their leading rebounder grabbing 8.3 boards (No. 2 RMAC).
• Colorado Mesa has the number two ranked offense, scoring 70.4-points per game and the fifth ranked defense, giving up 58.8-points.

GRIFFINS HEADING INTO THE WEEKEND | SEASON STATS

• Similar to the Mavericks, Westminster holds a favorable spot in the standings sitting in third place and will hope to keep that spot in order to host a game in the RMAC tournament.
• The Griffins are led by Ashley Greenwood who scores on average 17.3-points (No. 4 RMAC) and Sarah McGinley who averages 13.9-points (No. 8 RMAC). Abby Mangum and Hunter Krebs also score in double figures scoring 10.4 and 10-points.
• On defense, Krebs is one Westminster better defenders blocking shots 1.8 (No. 3 RMAC), while Mangum steals the ball 1.8 (No. 11 RMAC) times per game.
• Westminster has the fifth ranked offense, scoring 67.5-points per game and the fourth ranked defense, giving up 58.7-points.