GUNNISON, Colo.  Western Colorado is coming off two tough losses to Colorado Mesa (Jan. 29) and Colorado Christian (Feb. 1). However, they are ready to go and will look to get things going against University of Colorado at Colorado Springs (Feb. 4) and New Mexico Highlands University (Feb. 5) when they face them in Paul Wright Gymnasium.
 
MASKS REQUIRED FOR ALL SPECTATORS AT PAUL WRIGHT GYM AND MOUNTAINEER FIELD HOUSE
In accordance with regulations established by Western Colorado University COVID Policies and Procedures, all spectators for Western Colorado University indoor sporting events, including Paul Wright Gym and Mountaineer Field house, must wear masks regardless of vaccination status. Thank you for complying so we can continue to host events for our Mountaineer student-athletes and loyal fans.
 
MOUNTAINEERS HEADING INTO THE WEEKEND | SEASON STATS

• With eight games left in the season Western will have get things going right away a go on a long winning steak if they want to sneak into the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference tournament, as they are currently in 13th place (4-10) in the standings.
• Matthew Ragsdale has been the go-to player for the Mountaineers this season, scoring 24.4-points (No. 2 RMAC) per game, shooting 48.7 percent (No. 14 RMAC) from the field, 38.4 percent (No. 11 RMAC) from three and 88 percent (No. 3 RMAC) from the free throw line. Avery Rembao and Jaelan McCloud are also weapons on the offensive end scoring 10.1 and 9.1-points.
• Additionally, McCloud is one of the better three-point shooters in the RMAC shooting 43.1 percent (No. 3 RMAC). On the defensive side of the ball, Elijah Davidson is a defensive threat blocking 1.2 shots (No. 4 RMAC).
• The Mountaineers have the fourth ranked offense scoring 78.5-points and the 15th place defense giving up 83.6-points.

MOUNTAIN LIONS HEADING INTO THE WEEKEND | SEASON STATS

• UCCS is riding a hot streak as they head to Gunnison, winning their last five-game, resulting in them being in fourth place (9-5) in the RMAC standings.
• The Mountain Lions are led by Alijah Comithier and Jon'il Fugett who score 19.9 (No. 3 RMAC) and 13.6-points (No. 25 RMAC) per game. Comithier has the better field goal percentage (52.1, No. 10 RMAC)) out of the duo, while Fugett is the better three-pointer shooting 36.8 percent (No. 12 RMAC).
• Defensively, William Becker denies shots left and right, blocking 1.9 shots per game (No. 1 RMAC). Fugett also makes his presence felt on the defensive end taking the ball away 1.6 times (No. 8 RMAC) a game.
• UCCS had the fifth ranked offense scoring 77.4-points and the fourth ranked defense only allowing teams to score 71.1-points.

COWBOYS HEADING INTO THE WEEKEND | SEASON STATS

• New Mexico Highlands snapped their five-game losing streak on Friday, Jan. 28 against South Dakota Mines defeating them 91-81. However, they are still in last place (2-10) in the RMAC standings.
• Despite their struggles to win games, the Cowboys have a solid core of scoring threats. Sammy Barnes-Thompkins, Desmond Carpenter, Marcus Brown and Andre Adams, who score 16.7, 13.9, 13.8, and 11.9-points per game. Adams has the best field percentage out of the group making 74.7 percent (No. 1 RMAC) of his shots. Three-point wise, Brown is dangerous making 45.5 percent.
• Carpenter is the leading player on the defensive end stealing the ball 2.2 times (No. 1 RMAC) per game.
• New Mexico Highlands have the 10th ranked offense scoring 71.8-points and the 12th ranked defense giving up 77.7-points.

RMAC standings

ON THE COURT NEXT
The Mountaineers will hit the road for their next games. Stopping at Regis University first on Friday, Feb. 11 and then will head to Colorado School of Mines on Saturday, Feb. 12. Tip-off will be at 7 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday.