SILVER CITY, N.M. – Following a short one-game road trip, the Western New Mexico University men's basketball team will be back home this weekend for their first RMAC home games of the season against Colorado State University-Pueblo and Western State Colorado University.

Although the Mustangs (0-6, 0-1 RMAC) fell short in their last game against in-state rival New Mexico Highlands, WNMU was close throughout the game until the final minutes. It has been a season full of close games as four other contests WNMU was within nine points and two were decided by two points and a point.

Willie McCray (Clovis, NM/Clovis/Westwind Prep Academy ) leads the team in his first season averaging 12.0 points per game. Emery Range (Grand Rapids, MI/Willow Canyon) adds 10.7 per night, while Steven Loucks (Yuma, AZ/Cibola) is at 9.7. Range leads the team in rebounds per game at 7.2, with Makhtar Fall (Morocco/Ecole Al Jabr) right behind at 6.5 and he also averages 8.2 points per game. Brandon Tanter (Long Beach, CA/Los Angeles Prep) leads in assists with 16 and McCray leads in steals with eight, while Fall has 10 blocks. As a team WNMU makes 38.2 percent (142-372) and opponents make 39.5 percent (160-405). WNMU averages 71 points per game and allows 81.2 points.

Nationally WNMU ranks in the top-100 in blocked shots per game (4.2), 50^th and leads the RMAC, ninth in defensive rebounds per game (31.67), this leads the RMAC, 27^th in field goal percentage defense holding teams to a 39.5 percent, which also leads the RMAC, 71^st in steals per game at 8.2, second in the RMAC, 56^th in three point percentage defense holding teams to a 31.5 percent, second in the RMAC and 23^rd in turnovers forced at 18.17, first in the RMAC.

In terms of other RMAC team stats where WNMU ranks in the top-five includes, fifth in free throw attempts (171), first in total blocks (25), fifth in total rebounds (243) and fifth in total steals (49).

Individually Fall is ranked 60^th nationally and second in the RMAC in blocked shots per game (1.67). Fall is also fourth in the RMAC in total blocks (10) and 10^th in defensive rebounds per game (5.0). Range is 74^th nationally and fifth in the RMAC in defensive rebounds per game (6.00). Range is also ninth in the RMAC in rebounds per game at 7.2. McCray is sixth in the RMAC in free throw attempts (46).

WNMU will welcome in the ThunderWolves first on Friday night at 7:30 p.m. CSU-Pueblo is 5-2 on the season and 1-0 in the RMAC coming off of a close 87-84 victory over Western State this past Saturday. The ThunderWolves have several wins over teams in the South Central Region including Texas A&M International, Texas-Permian Basin, Midwestern State and Tarleton State.

Chris Golden leads the offense at 19.7 points per game. Nelson Kahler is also averaging in double-figures at 10.4 per contest. They have five other players that average at least 8.0 points per game. Odessa Lear leads on the glass with 7.4 rebounds per game, while also leading in steals per game (1.4) and Kahler leads in blocks with 1.7 per game. They shoot the same percentage from the field in which their opponents do with each connecting on 44.5 percent. They score 83 points per game and allow 81.6 per contest.

CSU-Pueblo won both matchups last year taking the first meeting in Silver City, 88-69 and then a 97-67 win in Pueblo.

The following night on Saturday also at 7:30 p.m. Western State Colorado University will be in Silver City. The Mountaineers are 1-6 on the season and 0-1 in the RMAC. Their win came against Eastern New Mexico, 81-77.

Danny Hopkins leads the team in points at 13.1 per game. Ben Beauchamp adds 10.6 and Robert Romero at 10.4. Romero also leads in rebounds at 5.0 per game. Will Duggan leads in steals with 10 and Tom Folsom leads in blocks with four. They connect on 42.7 percent (178-417) from the field and opponents are hitting on 50.2 percent (217-432). They average 72 points per game and allow 85.57.

Western State took both games last year winning the first in Gunnison, 63-59 and then taking a 66-58 win in Silver City.

Live video, audio and stats will be available for the game. The game can be heard locally on 92.9 FM KSCQ or streaming live on the web at www.silvercitysports.com. Broadcast begins at 7 p.m. both nights.