Gunnison, Colo.,   Western Colorado men's basketball opens conference play on the road.

WESTERN COLORADO MEN'S BASKETBALL GOING INTO THE WEEKEND | 2025-26 STATS

• Western Colorado enters the contest with McDowell riding a torrid run — the sophomore guard has averaged 30.0 points per game over the season so far, shooting roughly 55.1% from the floor and living at the free-throw line.
• He has been named RMAC Offensive Player of the Week for three straight weeks.
• Yet McDowell isn't alone. Junior forward Tyler Halligan has provided reliable secondary scoring and rebounding, averaging almost 17 points and 7 boards per game, giving the Mountaineers a consistent inside-outside complement to McDowell's shooting and slashing.
• Also contributing is junior guard Jordan Kuac, who's added 11.5 points per game along with 6.3 rebounds — another important piece to help spread the floor and crash the glass.
• On the perimeter, veteran guard Mason Mottashed has chipped in 6.3 PPG, helping with ball-movement and spacing.
• That multipronged offensive profile — McDowell's star scoring, Halligan's two-way wing play, Kuac's scoring-rebounding balance, and Mottashed's perimeter depth — gives Western a better chance of avoiding over-reliance on a single player.
• On paper, that balance paired with the team's modest but solid rebounding numbers suggests Western could stay competitive, even if McDowell's shots aren't falling.
• The Mountaineers will need steady performances from Halligan, Kuac, and Mottashed — plus defensive discipline and ball control — if they want to maximize their advantages.

COLORADO CHRISTAIN MEN'S BASKETBALL GOING INTO THE WEEKEND | 2025-26 STATS

• Colorado Christian enters the matchup at 2–2, averaging 69 points per game while giving up 75.5, leaving them with a –6.5 scoring margin.
• The Cougars have shot 43.7 percent from the field and 32.2 percent from three, and while their rebounding has been a strength with a +7 advantage on the glass, turnovers have been a major issue as the team is averaging nearly 20 per game.
• Offensively, Pierce Bazil leads CCU in scoring at around 13 points per game, with Andrew Reichart anchoring the team on the boards.
• Recent results have been mixed — including a dominant 104–68 win followed by an 85–79 home loss — showing both the team's potential and inconsistency.
• For CCU to succeed in the upcoming contest, they will need to clean up turnovers, take advantage of their rebounding edge, and find consistent scoring beyond their top contributors while tightening defensive execution. 

CSU PUEBLO MEN'S BASKETBALL GOING INTO THE WEEKEND | 2025-26 STATS

• CSU Pueblo enters the upcoming matchup with strong early-season momentum, opening the year 5–1 while averaging 78.3 points per game and holding opponents to just 64.0.
• The ThunderWolves have been efficient on the boards with a +8 rebounding margin and continue to move the ball well, maintaining a positive assist-to-turnover ratio.
• Offensively, the team leans on the consistent production of Jordan Blair, who leads with 15.8 points and nearly eight rebounds per game, along with Jaden Kennis, who adds 14.5 points and shoots an impressive 90 percent from the free-throw line.
• CSU Pueblo's recent performances include a dominant 91–48 home victory that showcased their ability to control tempo, rebound at a high level, and generate quality looks through ball movement.
• Heading into their next contest, the ThunderWolves will look to maintain defensive intensity, rely on their balanced scoring, and continue winning the battle on the glass as they aim to build on their strong start to the season.

UP NEXT
The Mountaineers host MSU Denver and Regis on Dec. 11 and Dec. 13 for conference play.