GUNNISON, Colo. Western Colorado will attempt to get back on track this weekend, when they take on No. 3 Black Hills State and South Dakota Mines. They will play the Yellow Jackets on Friday (Jan. 6) at 7:30 p.m. and the Hardrockers on Saturday (Jan. 7) at 7 p.m.
 
MOUNTAINEERS HEADING INTO THE WEEKEND | SEASON STATS | RMAC STATS | RMAC STANDINGS

• The ball hasn't bounced Western's way early on in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play, resulting in them currently being 0-6 in the standings and sitting in last place. In their most recent game against University of Colorado at Colorado Springs (Dec. 31), the Mountaineers lost 63-79. Avery Rembao and Robel Desta were the top scorers in the game, scoring 22 and 20-points.
• Currently, Western has the 15th ranked offense scoring 64.5-points in RMAC contest. Rembao and Desta have been the top scorers for the Mountaineers this season, Rembao scoring 17.5-points (sixth in RMAC) and Desta scoring 15.5-points in the six RMAC games they played.
• From the field, Rembao leads the team shooting 36.6 percent (tied for 21st in RMAC). Desta is the best free throw shooter in the RMAC, making 93.9 percent of his shots.
• On defense, Western only gives up 80.7-points in RMAC contest, which is 13th best in the RMAC. Gino Corridori leads the team in rebounding grabbing 8.4 per game (fifth in RMAC). Not far behind Desta grabs 7.8 boards (seventh in RMAC) per contest. Corridori also leads the team in blocks, blocking 0.8 shots (tied for seventh in RMAC). Right on his heels is Grant Wilkinson and Desta who block 0.7 shots (tied for eighth in RMAC).

YELLOW JACKETS HEADING INTO THE WEEKEND | SEASON STATS

• Black Hills State has been dominating all season - defeating three ranked opponents as they are currently undefeated in the overall (12-0) and RMAC (6-0) standings. In their last game, they defeated Adams State (Dec. 30) 84-64. The Yellow Jackets were supposed to play No. 15 Fort Lewis. However, due to inclement weather that game had to be postponed.
• Offensively, Black Hills State has the third ranked offense in the RMAC, scoring 83-points per game. Joel Scott has been the best scorer for the Yellow Jackets this season, averaging 20.5-points (fourth in RMAC). Also, a threat on offense, Adam Moussa has been averaging 15-points (13th in RMAC) and PJ Hayes has averaged 13-points (20th in RMAC).
• The trio of Hayes, Scott and Moussa have been efficient in RMAC contest from the field – Hayes leading the way for Black Hills State making 58.1 percent (second in RMAC). While Scott makes 55.1 percent (tied for fourth in RMAC) and Moussa makes 44.1 percent (18th in RMAC).
• From beyond the arc, Moussa leads the way making 54.1 percent (second in RMAC) and is followed by Hayes shooting 51.7 percent (third in RMAC) and Matthew Ragsdale making 39.5 percent (eighth in RMAC). At the free throw line, Scott is best on the team making 75.6 percent (17th in RMAC).
• On the defensive end, the Yellow Jackets have the fourth ranked defense only giving up 69.5-points. Scott is the best rebounder in the conference, grabbing 11.3 rebounds. Also getting after it on the boards, Moussa averages 6.5 (11th in RMAC), Ryker Cisarik averages 5.7 (tied for 17th in RMAC) and Hayes averages 5.4 (20th in RMAC). In the block's category, Scott leads the team with 0.8 blocks (tied for seventh in RMAC).  

HARDROCKERS HEADING INTO THE WEEKEND | SEASON STATS

• South Dakota Mines has had an average season so far in RMAC contest, leading to them currently being in eighth-place (4-4). Recently, the Hardrockers lost 82-93 to No. 15 Fort Lewis (Dec. 30) and then turned around and beat Adams State (Dec. 31) 91-81.
• Eight games into RMAC play, the Hardrockers have the fifth ranked offense scoring 80.3-points. Shouldering the scoring load, Brevin Walter leads the RMAC in scoring averaging 27.3-points per contest. Tied for 14th in scoring, Kolten Mortensen averages 13.9-points.
• Mortensen leads the way in both field goal and three-point shooting percentage, making 51.3 percent (11th in RMAC) from the field and a conference leading 55-percent from three. Not too far behind, Walter shoots 40.9 percent (20th in RMAC) from the field and 32.7 percent (11th in RMAC) from three. Walter leads the way for South Dakota Mines at the free throw line, making 86.6 percent (fifth in RMAC). Kolton Frugoli is also solid at the free throw line, making 75 percent (18th in RMAC).
• Defensively, the Hardrockers have the 12th ranked defense, giving up 80.5-points. Walter leads the way for South Dakota Mines when it comes to rebounding, averaging 6.9 (tied for eighth in RMAC) boards. Frugoli (5.4), Mortensen (5.4) and Keagen Smith (5.3) are also active on the glass – Frugoli and Mortensen tied for 20th in the RMAC and Smith 21st in the RMAC. When it comes to taking the ball away from the opposing team, Mortensen is the best on the team recording 1.6 steals (ninth in RMAC) and a few spots down tied for 11th in the RMAC, Frugoli averages 1.4 steals.