Gunnison, Colo.,   The Western Colorado Men's Basketball team travels to San Angelo and Odessa Texas to take on Angelo State and Texas Permian Basin on Fri. Nov. 14 and Sat. Nov. 15, respectfully.
 
WESTERN COLORADO MEN'S BASKETBALL GOING INTO THE WEEKEND

• The Western Colorado men's basketball team enters the 2025-26 season looking to build momentum and showcase growth within the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.
• The Mountaineers opened their season with a tough 94-92 overtime loss at Colorado College, where they led by as many as 23 points before the Tigers stormed back late. Despite the defeat, Western displayed strong offensive production, led by Aidan McDowell's dominant 34-point, 17-rebound performance and Jordan Kuac's 19 points and 10 rebounds.
• The team's effort on the boards and in the paint was promising, but late-game execution and defensive lapses allowed Colorado College to erase the lead and steal the win in overtime.
• Western Colorado's early schedule continues with road games against Angelo State and UT Permian Basin, both providing opportunities to fine-tune their chemistry and test their depth against quality opponents.
• The Mountaineers were picked to finish 13th in the RMAC preseason coaches' poll but enter the year with optimism thanks to key returning players like senior guard Christian Still and an influx of size in the frontcourt, including 6'10" David Shelia and 6'11" Joanis Koulisianis.
• The blend of veteran leadership and international talent gives Western one of the tallest lineups in the league and a potential advantage on the glass.
• As the Mountaineers prepare for conference play in December, their focus will be on consistency, limiting turnovers, and closing out tight games.
• With continued production from McDowell and Kuac, and improved cohesion from their new-look roster, Western Colorado has the pieces to surprise opponents and establish itself as a competitive presence in the RMAC this season.

 
ANGELO STATE MEN'S BASKETBALL GOING INTO THE WEEKEND | 2025-26 STATS

• The Angelo State men's basketball team is off to a strong start to the 2025-26 season, holding a 3-0 record while averaging 76.7 points per game and limiting opponents to 65.3.
• The Rams have been efficient offensively, shooting 42.9 percent from the field compared to their opponents' 35.3 percent.
• On the boards, they are pulling down 41.3 rebounds per game and maintaining a positive margin over their opponents.
• Angelo State has also excelled in ball movement and control, averaging 16 assists and just 10.7 turnovers per game while forcing over nine steals and five blocks per contest.
• Leading the way offensively is Jaqai Murray, who is averaging 14.7 points per game on 60 percent shooting and adding 6.7 rebounds.
• Jesaiah McWright has been consistent at the line, hitting 85 percent of his free throws while contributing 11.7 points per game, and Kailon Nicholls has provided an outside spark, shooting 66.7 percent from three-point range.

 
TEXAS PERMIAN BASIN GOING INTO THE WEEKEND | 2025-26 STATS

• The UT Permian Basin men's basketball team opened the 2025-26 season with a challenging matchup against Division I opponent UTEP, falling 98-56 in El Paso.
• The Falcons trailed 44-32 at halftime but were outscored in the second half as the Miners pulled away for the win.
• Despite the result, the game provided valuable early-season experience for UTPB as they look to build rhythm and chemistry before entering Lone Star Conference play.
• Bryceson Burns led UT Permian Basin with 13 points on 5-of-13 shooting, including 3-of-7 from three-point range.
• Tash Lunday added a double-double with 7 points and 12 rebounds, while Marcus Burnett provided a spark off the bench with 8 points and 3 rebounds.
• Rashad Kee contributed 2 points, 5 assists, and 2 rebounds, and Connor Morris chipped in 4 points and 2 rebounds.

UP NEXT
The Mountaineers host Cameron University, for their home opener, on Thursday, November 20 at 6pm in Paul Wright Gym.