SILVER CITY, N.M. – Opening the weekend just a game out of a RMAC tournament spot, the Western New Mexico University women's basketball team will look to continue their climb into the top eight when they host UC-Colorado Springs and Colorado State University-Pueblo this Friday and Saturday.


Outside of the top three teams (Colorado Mesa, 13-0, CSU-Pueblo, 11-2 and Black Hills State, 9-4) only two games separates eight teams from the fourth position down to the 11^th. Right now, the Lady Mustangs at 8-10 overall and 5-8 in the RMAC are sitting just a game behind both Metro State and UC-Colorado Springs as both teams are 6-7 and tied for seventh.


First up will be a matchup with UCCS on Friday night at 5:30 p.m. The Mountain Lions are on a two-game winning streak with victories over Chadron State (65-60) and Black Hills State (71-60). UCCS holds a 7-10 overall record and 6-7 in the RMAC. When it comes to the UCCS offense, it all starts and ends with Abby Kirchoff. The 5-foot-11 junior guard from Barrington, Ill., has led the team in scoring in all 17 games this season. She averages 22.6 points per game, as the next closest is at 8.5 points per game in Jeri Pikul.


In the earlier meeting this season the Mountain Lions hit a pair of late free throws and sent the game to overtime and eventually came away with the 79-75 victory back on Dec. 21.


On Saturday night also at 5:30 p.m., CSU-Pueblo will be in town. The ThunderWolves have won four of their last five with their only loss coming at home against Colorado Mines (55-47). This past weekend they defeated Chadron State (73-60) and Black Hills State (69-53). They are 14-5 overall and 11-2 in the RMAC. The Lady Mustangs stayed close with the ThunderWolves earlier this season, coming back to tie the game in the second half before a late run sealed the 71-54 win for CSU-Pueblo on Dec. 20.


The ThunderWolves have even point distribution throughout their lineup with four players averaging double-figures led by 13.2 from Paige Ramm, 13.1 from Taylor Fox, 11.1 from Alex Evans and 11 from Dee Arrieta. They also have two other players averaging over eight points a game.


WNMU is coming off of a big 80-73 victory at home over New Mexico Highlands this past Saturday to boost them to eight wins for the first time since 2008-09 when the team went 8-19. A win in either game this weekend would be the most since the team went 9-13 back in 2003-04. A win in both games would put the team at 10 wins, just one off the pace set back in 2002-03 when the team won 11.


Junior point guard RaTanya Newsome (Tucson, AZ/Tucson High School) leads the team in scoring at 13.7 per game, followed by 11.9 from junior guard Ashley Mitchell (Fort Defiance, AZ/Window Rock High School) and 11 from junior center Stephanie Moore (Anton, TX/Anton High School). Junior forward Nalani Hernandez (Tucson, AZ/Tucson High School) leads the team in rebounding at 8.1 per game and also scores 8.2 per contest. Newsome also leads the team in steals (44), assists (78), free throws made (56) and field goals made (87).


In terms of RMAC rankings as a team the Lady Mustangs are second in offensive rebounds (14.8), first in turnover margin (5.72). They rank 13^th nationally in turnover margin and 70^th in assist-to-turnover ratio (0.93). Individually, Hernandez is eighth in rebounding, Mitchell is fifth in three-point field goals per game (2.1) and seventh in three-point percentage (35.2), Newsome is fifth in assists per game (4.3), and third in steals per game (2.4).


The Lady Mustangs will also be wearing pink "Hoops For A Cure" shirts during both games in support of Play 4 Kay and cancer awareness. Fans will have the opportunity to purchase shirts for $10 with all proceeds benefiting the Play 4 Kay Foundation.