SILVER CITY, N.M. – With three non-conference games in the books, the Western New Mexico University women's basketball team will open Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play this weekend 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 Lady Mustangs are 2-1 on the season with wins against the University of the Southwest and Sul Ross State. Colorado Mines is 5-1 on the season collecting victories against Eastern New Mexico, McMurry, Johnson and Wales, Notre Dame de Namur and St. Olaf.

The Lady Orediggers took both matchups last season against WNMU with a six-point win in Golden and then a nine-point win in Silver City. The last win in the series for WNMU came back in the 1995-96 season when the Lady Mustangs grabbed a 78-69 win.

Ashley Mitchell (Fort Defiance, AZ/Window Rock High School) leads the offense averaging 9.7 points per game. Nalani Hernandez (Tucson, AZ/Tucson High School) tallied 8.7 points and 7.0 rebounds per game which leads the team. RaTanya Newsome (Tucson, AZ/Tucson High School) leads in assists with 11, Hernandez leads the way in blocks with two, while Hernandez and Newsome both have six steals.

Taylor Helbig powers the Colorado Mines' offense at 17.5 per game, Courtney Martin adds 12.7, while Laura Tyree chips in 10. Helbig is nearly averaging a double-double as she also leads the squad in rebounds per game at 8.5.

WNMU and CSM will tip at 5:30 p.m. on Friday evening.

The next night the Lady Mustangs will host Colorado Christian. CCU is 0-6 on the season, but have come close in several games including a three-point loss to Alaska Fairbanks and four-point loss to Palm Beach Atlantic.
The Lady Mustangs split with the Cougars last year, winning in Lakewood, 95-67, before CCU came back to win in Silver City, 75-71.

Claire Paxton leads three Cougars averaging in double-figures at 14.5 per game. Taylor Torres adds 13.5, while Kate Louthan tallies 12.8. Louthan leads the team in rebounds at 7 per game.

WNMU and CCU will also tip at 5:30 p.m. Saturday evening.

Live stats and video will be available for both games.