DURANGO/ALAMOSA, Colo. – It's the start of a four-game road swing for the Western New Mexico University basketball teams this week with their first stops coming against Fort Lewis College and Adams State University.

On the women's side, the Lady Mustangs enter with a 6-10 overall record and 4-7 mark in the RMAC. They will look to snap a three-game slide. The conference standings are packed near the middle to bottom when it comes to the eight teams that make the conference tournament. WNMU is just three games back of fifth with three teams tied for that spot and then three teams are tied for eighth and are just a game in front of WNMU.

The Lady Mustangs came close this past weekend in a pair of home games against Regis and Chadron State before falling just short. Desiree Smith (Phoenix, AZ/Tolleson Union ) continues to lead the team in points per game (10.7), assists (52), steals (36) and free throws (43). Jordan Gutierrez (Albuquerque, NM/Valley ) (9.1) and Jade Botelho (Honolulu, HI/Iolani ) (9.0) are both averaging over nine points per game. Botelho leads in blocks with six, while Deandra Williams (Rosenburg, TX/Terry ) brings down a team-best 6.0 rebounds per game. Gutierrez leads in three-pointers knocking in 29. WNMU has had their best quarters this season come in the first outscoring teams by 19 and in the fourth quarter outscoring opponents by a point. WNMU averages 56.1 points per game and allows 61.8 per contest. They connect on 35 percent from the field and allow 40 percent.

Nationally, WNMU is in the top-100 in fewest fouls (251), 55th and first in the RMAC, fewest turnovers (238), 78th and eighth in the RMAC, personal fouls per game (15.7), 33rd and first in the RMAC, steals (155), 68th and fourth in the RMAC, steals per game (9.7), 65th and fifth in the RMAC, three point field goal defense (27.2), 32nd and second in the RMAC, turnover margin (3.25), 49th and fourth in the RMAC, turnovers forced (18.13), 95th and fourth in the RMAC, turnovers per game (14.9), 66th and sixth in the RMAC.

Smith is in the top-100 nationally in a pair of categories including 84th in steals (36), fifth in the RMAC and 79th in steals per game (2.25), fifth in the RMAC. She also ranks in the top-10 in the RMAC in a few other categories including sixth in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.08), third in assists (53) and fifth assists per game (3.3). Gutierrez is eighth in the conference in three point field goals made per game (1.81) and ninth in three point field goals made (29). Jada Grady (Louisville, KY/Seneca ) is 10th in the conference in three point field goals per game (1.73) and 12th in three point field goals made (26).

WNMU is 4-3 away from home this season in true road contests.

The Lady Mustangs will play at Fort Lewis College first on Friday night beginning at 5:30 p.m. The Skyhawks are 9-7 overall and 5-6 in the RMAC having won their last game at Westminster, 72-62. Astrea Reed leads the team in points per game averaging 12.3, while Dallas Dickerson adds 10.6 points per contest. Kate Bayes (8.8), Mary Rambo (8.6) and Kylie Santos (8.1) add at least eight points per game. Rambo also leads the team in rebounds per game (7.1) and blocks (13). They average 69.9 points per game and allow 60.6. They make 39 percent from the field and allow 36 percent. They are 4-2 at home this season.

Fort Lewis took both games last year winning the first meeting in Durango, 64-52 and then in Silver City, 70-55.

The next night on Saturday also at 5:30 p.m. the Lady Mustangs will face Adams State University. It's been a long year so far for the Grizzlies as they are 2-12 overall and 1-9 in the RMAC. They have lost seven straight since a 71-65 victory at Western State. Lena Jaycox and Cydney McHenry have been the constants for the squad this year as both average in double-figures. Jaycox tallied 13.7 and McHenry adds 10.7 points per game. Jaycox also leads in steals (31). Maddy Merschel brings in a team-best 4.4 rebounds. They average 56.5 points per game and allow 76.1. They connect on 32 percent and allow 43 percent. They are 1-5 at home.

WNMU won both meetings last year as both were close claiming the first in Alamosa, 70-63 and then a 65-56 win later in Silver City.  

Live video and stats will be available for both games.

On the men's side, the Mustangs will look to ride the momentum of a thrilling comeback win over Chadron State this past Saturday as they erased a late seven point deficit to defeat the Eagles in overtime. WNMU is 1-15 overall and 1-10 in the RMAC. Willie McCray (Clovis, NM/Clovis/Westwind Prep Academy ) continues to be the top point producer for the team averaging 10.6 points per game in his first season. He also leads the team in steals (17) and assists (26). He is also near the tops in the conference in getting to the foul line where he has made 65. Emery Range (Grand Rapids, MI/Willow Canyon) is next in points averaging 9.8, while Steven Loucks (Yuma, AZ/Cibola) contributes 8.3. Range leads in rebounds per game at 5.4, while Makhtar Fall (Morocco/Ecole Al Jabr) has a team-best 13 blocks. Adam Kesler (Silver City, NM/Silver), who delivered the clutch three-pointer on Saturday, leads the way in three-pointers connecting on 25. WNMU averages 67.6 points and allows 78.4. They make 38 percent and allow 43 percent. They are 0-8 away from home this season.

Nationally, the Mustangs are in the top-100 in defensive rebounds per game (26.94), 86th and fourth in the conference. They rank in the top-five in the RMAC in a few other categories including fourth in blocked shots per game (2.9), third in field goal percentage defense (43.3), fourth in steals per game (6.6), fifth in three point field goal defense (35.1), fourth in total blocks (47) and first in turnovers forced (14.50).

Individually, McCray is eighth in the RMAC in free throw attempts (90) and 10th in free throws made (65).

WNMU will open the week on Friday night against No. 21 Fort Lewis College. The Skyhawks are 13-3 overall and 8-3 in the RMAC. They split this past weekend claiming an 89-74 win at Westminster. Four players average in double-figure scoring led by Joshua Blaylock's 14.9 per game. Rasmus Bach adds 14.1 per game, Cade Kloster at 12.4 and Will Morse tallies 12.3. Jared Smith pulls in a team-best 5.0 rebounds. FLC, always known for their three-point shooting have already made 171 this season, connecting on 38 percent from downtown. Seven players have made at least 10 from three-point range. They average 80.4 points and allow 70.2. They make 45 percent and allow 42 percent. They are 7-0 at home this season.

Fort Lewis took both games last year as WNMU came close in Durango before the Skyhawks pulled away for the 86-70 victory. Then in Silver City FLC claimed the 88-62 win.

To close the weekend WNMU will play at Adams State University on Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. The Grizzlies are 7-9 overall and 6-5 in the RMAC. They split this past weekend claiming a win at Westminster, 79-60, before falling at Colorado Mesa.

Shakir Smith has been one of the top players in the conference this year and he leads ASU averaging 21.9 per game. He also leads the team in steals (26), assists (52), three-pointers (45) and field goals made (117). Kendyl Grover also averages in double-figures collecting 11.1. Grover also leads in rebounds at 6.7. They average 79.3 points per game and allow 81 points per game. They make 44 percent from the field and allow 44 percent. They are 3-3 at home this season.

Adams State won both games last year with a 99-64 win in Alamosa and then an 80-67 win in Silver City.

Live video, audio and stats will be available for the games. 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.