SILVER CITY, N.M. – The Western New Mexico University men's basketball team remains at home this weekend to open Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play against Colorado Mines and Colorado Christian. The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) will also be holding a Miracle Minute. The Miracle Minute is an opportunity to raise money and awareness for the Make-a-Wish Foundation. SAAC members will be blitzing our fans for donations in ONE minute increments.
The Mustangs are 0-4 on the season falling at home on Monday to previously ranked Angelo State. The game before that in Albuquerque WNMU fell just short after rallying against Eastern New Mexico.
Colorado Mines is 4-0 with wins against Nebraska-Kearney, South Dakota Mines, UC San Diego and MidAmerica Nazarene. They are currently receiving votes in the latest NABC Poll.
Marcos Castrillo (San Francisco, CA/Pinole Valley) leads the way for WNMU in points per game (13), rebounds per game (6.3), and blocks (4).
Terrez Scott (Santa Clarita, CA/Valencia) (9.5),
Tyler Shea (Rancho Cucamunga, CA/Alta Loma) (9.5),
Gavin Wood (Florence, AZ/Florence ) (9.3) and
Brandon Tanter (Long Beach, CA/Los Angeles Prep) (9.0) all average at least nine points a game. Tanter leads in assists (11), while
Brandon Williams (Long Beach, CA/Los Angeles Prep) leads in steals (5).
The Orediggers took both meetings last season and have won the last three in the series with WNMU claiming a 77-66 win in Silver City back on Nov. 30, 2012.
CSM has four players averaging at least 10 per game led by Brian Muller's 16.5. Gokul Natesan (15.5), Caleb Waitsman (15.0) and Trevor Ritchie (12.3) round out the group. Waitsman nearly averages a double-double with 9.3 rebounds per contest. Muller has tied for or led the team in scoring in three of the games.
WNMU and CSM will tip at 7:30 p.m. Friday evening.
The next night, Colorado Christian will battle the Mustangs.
The Cougars are 3-3 on the season with wins against Saint Martin's, Johnson and Wales and Bethany. Michael Brown (18.8) and Tyler Shields (11.2) lead the offense. Shields leads the team in rebounds at 6.5 per game.
The series is the same for WNMU and CCU as it is with the Orediggers as the Cougars swept both matchups last year and have won the last three in the series. WNMU defeated Colorado Christian, 72-63, back on Dec. 1, 2012 in Silver City.
WNMU and CCU will tip at 7:30 p.m. Saturday night.
Live stats, video and audio will be available for both games.
