SILVER CITY, N.M. – The Western New Mexico University women's basketball team will return to the court for the first time since Nov. 19 when they will host Angelo State University in non-conference action inside Drag's Court Wednesday night at 6 p.m.


ASU (4-3) will play Texas-Permian Basin tonight before battling the Lady Mustangs on Wednesday. The Belles defeated RMAC foe CSU-Pueblo this past weekend, 52-49, in the West Texas A&M tournament. In that same tournament they also defeated Incarnate Word, 58-43. ASU played Texas-Permian Basin earlier this year and lost, 56-50. Hilari Adam leads the team with 13.7 points per game and also averages 8.7 rebounds per contest. Amanda Weaver and Rochelle Norris are the next closest with each averaging eight points per game.


WNMU (2-2) last played on Nov. 19 in an exhibition against Grand Canyon in which the Lopes came away with the 79-52 victory. The night before on Nov. 18, the Lady Mustangs defeated University of the Southwest, 89-59 and also bested Sul Ross State, 105-55, on Nov. 16.


The Lady Mustangs are powered by Ashley Mitchell (Fort Defiance, AZ/Window Rock High School), who was named RMAC Offensive Player of the Week earlier in the season, as she leads the team at 14 points per game and also averages 5.3 rebounds. RaTanya Newsome (Tucson, AZ/Tucson High School) is also in double-figures at 11 points per game. Nalani Hernandez (Tucson, AZ/Tucson High School), who was named RMAC Defensive Player of the Week earlier in the season, leads the team in rebounds at 7.8 per contest and also averages 3.8 points.


After the game against Angelo State, WNMU will head to Colorado to face Colorado Mines on Friday and then Colorado Christian on Saturday.