GRAND JUNCTION/GUNNISON, Colo. – Carrying the momentum of a 2-0 conference start, the Western New Mexico University women's basketball team will play at Colorado Mesa University and Western State Colorado University this weekend.
CMU is 4-2 overall, 1-1 RMAC, following a win at Chadron State (79-65) and then a double overtime loss at Black Hills State (86-81). The Lady Mavericks fell out of the WBCA top-25 poll with that loss and are now receiving votes in the poll.
Erin Reichle powers the offense at 18.3 points per game. She also leads the team in assists (30) and three-pointers (20). Leanndra Gilbert is in double-figures at 10.8 per contest. She leads the team in rebounds with 8.0 per game.
The Lady Mavericks won both matchups last year, although the games came right down to the wire. In the first meeting in Silver City, the then No. 5 team in the nation CMU came away with a 57-51 victory. The Lady Mavericks were then ranked second for their rematch in Grand Junction and following a big deficit, WNMU came back to nearly win the game late before falling, 69-58.
Colorado Mesa has won the last eight games in the series. The last time WNMU beat the Lady Mavericks was when they were still called Mesa State during the 2009-10 season winning in Silver City, 84-68.
Live stats, video and audio will be available for the game that will tipoff at 5:30 p.m. Friday night.
The next night, WNMU will face Western State Colorado University. The Lady Mountaineers are 1-5 overall on the season and 0-2 in the RMAC. This past weekend they lost at both Black Hills State (61-49) and Chadron State (75-62).
Jade McIntosh continues to power the way for WSCU leading the team in points per game (11.7). Ajai Ford adds 8.2, while Taylor Long chips in 7.0 points per contest.
The teams split last season with each winning on the others home floor. WSCU claimed a 60-58 win in Silver City, while WNMU came back for a 69-50 win in Gunnison.
Live stats and video will be available for the game that will also begin at 5:30 p.m.
WNMU is off to a strong start posting a 4-1 overall record and 2-0 mark in the RMAC. The Lady Mustangs delivered wins over Colorado Mines (first in 10 meetings) and a dominating win over Colorado Christian.
Ashley Mitchell (Fort Defiance, AZ/Window Rock High School), coming off of a season-high 23 points against the Cougars, leads the team in points per game (11.4).
Stephanie Moore (Anton, TX/Anton High School) (8.8),
Nalani Hernandez (Tucson, AZ/Tucson High School) (8.0) and
Stephanie Douthit (Phoenix, AZ/Desert Mountain ) (8.0) all average at least eight points per night.
RaTanya Newsome (Tucson, AZ/Tucson High School) leads in assists (27), Hernandez in rebounds (8.0), steals (10) and blocks (3), and Douthit in three-pointers (8).
