GUNNISON, Colo. Western Colorado will need to get on a winning streak this weekend – if they want to make the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference tournament – when they host MSU Denver on Friday (Jan. 20) at 7:30 p.m. and No. 9 Colorado School of Mines on Saturday (Jan. 21) at 7 p.m.
 
MOUNTAINEERS HEADING INTO THE WEEKEND | SEASON STATS | RMAC STATS | RMAC STANDINGS

• Western was unable to get on a winning streak last weekend – after defeating South Dakota Mines 81-79 – falling 64-76 to New Mexico Highlands and 50-59 to CSU Pueblo. With the pair of losses, the Mountaineers are currently in 14th place (1-9) in the RMAC.
• Currently, Western has the 15th ranked offense in the RMAC scoring 65.5-points in RMAC Contest. Avery Rembao and Robel Desta are the top scorers for the Mountaineers, both averaging 15-points (tied for 10th in RMAC). Desta has the better field goal shooting percentage making 39 percent (tied for 19th in RMAC), while Rembao makes 36.6 percent (20th in RMAC). Additionally, Desta also leads the way at the free throw line, knocking down 80.9 percent (8th in RMAC). A few spots down making 76.7 percent (13th in RMAC) is Rembao.
• On the defensive side of things, Western has the 12th ranked offense giving up 77.6-points. Gino Corridori is the top rebounder for the Mountaineers, grabbing 7.5 boards (fifth in RMAC) and coming in tied for eighth in the RMAC is Desta grabbing 6.6 rebounds. Desta is also tied for eighth in RMAC in blocked shots, blocking 0.7 per RMAC contest.
• As a whole, the Mountaineers shoot 36.9 percent from the field (15th in RMAC), 30.8 percent from three (13th in RMAC) and 71.7 percent from the free throw line (12th in RMAC).

ROADRUNNERS HEADING INTO THE WEEKEND | SEASON STATS

• MSU Denver has had a rough stretch as of late, losing their last three games, which has resulted in them being in 13th place (3-8) in the RMAC standings. Recently, the Roadrunners lost 70-85 to Regis and 55-70 to Colorado School of Mines.  
• At the moment, MSU Denver has the 13th ranked offense scoring 70.3-points per RMAC contest. Caleb McGill is the leading scorer for the Roadrunners scoring 12.6-points (tied for 18th in RMAC). McGill also is the top free throw percentage shooter for MSU Denver, making 78.3 percent (11th in RMAC). Right behind him is Tyrei Randall who makes 77.8 percent (13th in RMAC).
• Defensively, the Roadrunners have the 14th ranked defense giving up 80.5-points. McGill is the leading rebounder for MSU Denver grabbing 5.3 rebounds (tied for 15th in RMAC). Tyrei Randall and McGill lead the team in blocked shots, both blocking 0.6 shots (tied for ninth in RMAC). Randall is also leading the Roadrunners in steals, taking the ball away 1.5 times (tied for sixth in RMAC). Not too far down the list, Braydon Maldonado records one steal (tied for 10th in RMAC).  
• As a whole, the Roadrunners shoot 42 percent from the field (12th in RMAC), 32.6 percent from three (12th in RMAC) and 73.8 percent from the free throw line (eighth in RMAC).

OREDIGGERS HEADING INTO THE WEEKEND | SEASON STATS

• Colorado School of Mines has dominated the RMAC so far this season, as they sit in first place with an 11-1 RMAC record – their lone loss being against third place Black Hills State. Recently, they defeated UCCS 85-66 and 70-55. Earlier in the season (Dec. 18), they defeated the Mountaineers 101-59.
• Similar to where the Orediggers sit in the standings, they have the number one ranked offense in the RMAC scoring 83.6-points per RMAC contest. Adam Thistlewood leads the scoring charge for Colorado School of Mines averaging 16.6-points (seventh in RMAC). Also, a threat on offense, Brendan Sullivan scores 12.5-points (19th in RMAC). From the field, Thistlewood is fifth in the RMAC, making 53 percent of his shots. From beyond the arc, Sullivan is one of the better three-point shooters in the RMAC, making 45 percent (third in the RMAC). At the free throw line, Sam Beskind knocks down a team high 83.3 percent (tied for fourth in RMAC) and Thistlewood makes 73.4 percent which is 17th in the RMAC.
• With how dominant the Orediggers have been it is no surprise that they also have the number one ranked defense, only allowing teams to score 64.4-points. Thistlewood leads the team in rebounding, grabbing 6.8 boards (seventh in RMAC). When it comes to blocking shots, Kai Barr and Riley Schroeder are the leaders on the team. Barr blocking 1.3 shots (second in RMAC) and Schroeder blocking 0.7 (tied for eighth in RMAC). In the steals department, Beskind leads the way recording 1.8 steals (fourth in RMAC) and is followed by Reagan Koch with 1.6 steals (tied for fifth in RMAC), and Sullivan who averages one steal (tied for 10th in RMAC).
• As a whole, the Orediggers shoot 49.9 percent from the field (first in RMAC), 36.6 percent from three (sixth in RMAC) and 75.4 percent from the free throw line (fourth in RMAC).