ESPANOLA, N.M,/PHOENIX, Ariz. – The Western New Mexico University men's basketball team will open the regular season tonight when they face Northern New Mexico. They will also play against Division I Grand Canyon in exhibition action on Saturday night to close the road trip.


Northern New Mexico (3-1) opened the season with three straight wins defeating University of the Southwest, Fort Lewis and Western State, with the first two coming at home. Recently, they lost to University of the Southwest in Hobbs back on Nov. 9. The Eagles been led primarily by Matthew Brito and Rodney Coles, with Brito leading the team in the opener with 17 points, Coles with 19 against Fort Lewis and Brito added 11 against Western State.


WNMU will then face the Lopes on Saturday in an exhibition contest. GCU is transitioning to Division I this season and are so far 0-2 with a close loss against Loyola Marymount (78-75) and a loss to San Diego (70-59). The Lopes went 23-8 last year and faced WNMU back on Nov. 14 a season ago in Phoenix coming away with the 69-58 victory. GCU has been led by 18 points per game from Demetrius Walker and 16 a game from Killian Larson.


The Mustangs haven't played since Oct. 29 when they faced Division I New Mexico State in an exhibition game that the Aggies won, 97-68. Terrez Scott (Santa Clarita, CA/Valencia) led the way in his first game as a Mustang, scoring 18 points, while Marcos Castrillo (San Francisco, CA/Pinole Valley) added 16 and Brelan Berry (Chandler, AZ/Basha High School) with 15.


WNMU will face Northern New Mexico Thursday night at 7 p.m. and then Grand Canyon on Saturday, also at 7 p.m.