SILVER CITY, N.M. – The Western New Mexico University basketball teams will see teams for a second time for the rest of the season beginning tonight when they host the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs, followed by CSU-Pueblo on Saturday inside Drag's Court.


On the men's side, UCCS (7-12, 6-7 RMAC) lost three straight at home over the past few weeks dropping games against Metro State (89-78), Nebraska-Kearney (93-63) and last time out against Chadron State (78-73).


The Mountain Lions defeated the Mustangs back on Dec. 17 in Colorado Springs, 71-63.


Two players average in double-figures for UCCS, led by Darius Pardner's 10.8 per game, followed by George Pollard's 10.2 per contest. Opponents have shot well against the Mountain Lions, connecting on over 46 percent (46.2), while they have made just over 41 percent (41.4) from the field.


CSU-Pueblo (9-8, 6-7 RMAC) will enter on Saturday and have won two of their last three, defeating Regis (77-64) and Chadron State (82-57), before falling to Nebraska-Kearney (89-71).


A trio of Thunderwolves lead the way, as Arden Dennis averages 14.3 per contest, followed by Andre Martin's 13.5 and Ty Trahern's 11.5 per game. CSU-P shoots about the same from the field as opponents, making 44.6 to 44.4 for opponents.


The Thunderwolves won at the buzzer earlier this season against WNMU, 70-68, back on Dec. 16.


WNMU (6-11, 6-7 RMAC) are battling with both teams in what has turned into a battle for the final sports for the RMAC Shootout. After the top four teams have at least nine wins, six teams are within a win of each other for the five through eight spots. Currently, Colorado Mesa and Fort Lewis are 7-6, followed by CSU-Pueblo, New Mexico Highlands, UCCS and WNMU all 6-7.


The Mustangs will look to ride the momentum from a big 93-75 win over rival New Mexico Highlands last Saturday into the games this week. Conference leading scorer TJ Riley (Tyler, TX/Chapel Hill High School) holds a 17.6 points per game average and will look to ignite WNMU again like he did on Saturday. He also is first on the team in steals (36), along with the second-most assists (3.1) and rebounds (4.4). Chad Carter (Tucson, AZ/Ironwood Ridge High School) has also taken over when needed and is second in the team in scoring (14.6), while leading the team in rebounding (6.5) and blocks (30).


The Mustangs connect on over 42 percent from the field (42.2), with opponents countering with a 44.8 effort.


On the women's side, UCCS (10-9, 5-8 RMAC) has been an up and down team this year that when they are on can beat almost anybody, but then have had some tough losses this season. They started the season with an exhibition win over Division I Air Force, but in their last three games they have lost to Metro (55-48), Nebraska-Kearney (65-58) and Chadron State (69-57) all at home. Their last win came at the start of their four-game homestand over Regis (73-63).


Abby Kirchoff powers the Mountain Lions at 12 points per game, followed by Jessica Brown's 10 per contest.


Back on Dec. 17, UCCS defeated the Mustangs, 67-44.


The next night, CSU-Pueblo will be in town and they have been on a hot streak most of the season posting a 14-3 overall record and a 11-2 mark in the conference.


The Thunderwolves have won three-straight, defeating Regis (58-45), Chadron State (61-49) and Nebraska-Kearney (52-38).


The players average in double-digits for the Thunderwolves, led by Jennelle Branting's 12.4 per game, along with Kendall Babler (12.1) and Laurel Kearsley (10.6).


The team struggles from the field connecting on just over 38 percent (38.6), but they hold opponents to a 33.3 effort.


CSU-Pueblo defeated WNMU, 97-42, back on Dec. 16.


WNMU (0-16, 0-13 RMAC) will look to record a W after falling 79-52 last time out at home against New Mexico Highlands.


Kassie Scott (El Paso, TX/Coronado High School) continues to lead the team in scoring at 11.1 per game, while Morgan Wohltman (Queen Creek, AZ/Highland High School) chips in an additional 10.1 per game.


WNMU and UCCS will battle in the women's game tonight beginning at 5:30 p.m., followed by the men's game at 7:30 p.m. on Drag's Court. The game times will be the same on Saturday with CSU-Pueblo in town.