GUNNISON/PUEBLO, Colo. – Having just faced Western State Colorado University and Colorado State University-Pueblo roughly a month ago, the Western New Mexico University basketball teams will see them again this coming weekend on the road.

The Lady Mustangs are 5-7 overall and 3-4 in the RMAC and will be looking to snap a three-game losing streak. They claimed a 62-55 victory over Western State and lost to CSU-Pueblo, 77-52, in the earlier meeting.
Junior Desiree Smith (Phoenix, AZ/Tolleson Union ) remains the leading scorer for WNMU averaging 9.6 points per game. She also leads in steals with 28 and assists with 36. She has played in every game this season, starting in all but one. Jada Grady (Louisville, KY/Seneca ) (8.6), Jade Botelho (Honolulu, HI/Iolani ) (8.3) and Jordan Gutierrez (Albuquerque, NM/Valley ) (8.1) all average eight points per game. Grady leads in three-pointers made with 22, followed by Gutierrez's 19. Botelho is just ahead of Deandra Williams (Rosenburg, TX/Terry ) in the rebounding department with Botelho pulling down 5.8 to 5.7 from Williams. Botelho also leads in blocks with six. WNMU averages 56.2 points per game and allows 63.2. They connect on 34.6 percent (245-708) and allow a 40.6 percent (289-712).

Nationally, WNMU ranks in the top-100 in a few categories. They rank 43^rd in fewest fouls (178), first in the RMAC, 14^th in personal fouls per game (14.8), first in the RMAC, 78^th in steals (113), fourth in the RMAC, 79^th in steals per game (9.4), fifth in the RMAC, 50^th in three point field goal defense percentage (27.4), third in the RMAC and 80^th in turnover margin (2.33), sixth in the RMAC.

Smith is ranked in the top-10 in the RMAC in a multitude of categories including fourth in steals per game (2.33), 66^th nationally, fifth in steals (28), 73^rd nationally, fifth in free throw attempts (52), fifth in assists (37), seventh in assist-to-turnover ratio (0.97) and seventh in assists per game (3.1). Grady is in the top-10 in three categories including 10^th in three point field goals made (22), eighth in three point field goals per game (2.00) and fourth in three point field goal percentage (38.6), 78^th nationally.

WSCU (3-6, 1-6 RMAC) has lost five straight with their last win coming against New Mexico Highlands. They are 0-3 at home with losses against CSU-Pueblo, Adams State and Fort Lewis. Taylor Long remains the constant for the Mountaineers averaging 13.4 points and also leads the team in assists (22) and three-pointers (15). Sadie Stroup is nearly in double-figures at 9.3 points per game. Sydnie Lengyel leads in rebounds at 7.8 per game. They average 57.3 points and allow 65.7. They connect on 34.7 percent (183-528) and allow a 36.5 percentage (204-559).

The next night the Lady Mustangs will play at CSU-Pueblo. The ThunderWolves were on a tear to start the season and were ranked as high as No. 17 in the media poll before falling to Regis at the buzzer on Saturday, 58-56. They regrouped and won at Chadron State the next night, 71-60. They hold a 3-1 mark at home with wins over Fort Lewis Adams State and Texas A&M Commerce. CSU-Pueblo is 11-2 overall and 6-1 in the RMAC.

Tuileisu Anderson leads the team with 14.7 points per game and is tied for the team lead in threes connecting on 18. Molly Rohrer is also in double-figures in terms of points tallying 10.8 to go along with a team-high 25 blocks. Lauren Heyn is right behind at 9.5 per contest and leads the team with 7.6 rebounds.

On the men's side, WNMU (0-12, 0-7 RMAC) is still in search of their first victory this season having come close numerous times this year. This past Friday the Mustangs came close to defeating Colorado Mines before the Orediggers claimed the win. Two other RMAC games have been decided by three points and another by six.

Live video and stats will be available for both games.

Freshman Willie McCray (Clovis, NM/Clovis/Westwind Prep Academy ) has had a standout first year for the Mustangs leading the team in points per game at 11.8. He also leads the team in steals with 15. Juniors Emery Range (Grand Rapids, MI/Willow Canyon) and Steven Loucks (Yuma, AZ/Cibola) are tied in points per game at nine. Range leads in rebounds at 5.7 per game, while Brandon Tanter (Long Beach, CA/Los Angeles Prep) leads in assists with 22. WNMU averages 67.2 points per game and allows 76.7. They make 38.2 percent (271-709) and allow a 42.9 percent (313-729).

Both matchups earlier this year went down to the wire with Western State taking a 64-61 win and CSU-Pueblo grabbing an 80-77 victory.

Nationally WNMU ranks in the top-100 nationally in a few categories including 56^th in defensive rebounds per game (27.83), third in the RMAC, 98^th in field goal percentage defense (42.9), third in the RMAC, 61^st in three point field goal defense (32.6), second in the RMAC and 85^th in turnovers forced per game (15.33), first in the RMAC. WNMU also ranks in the top-five in the RMAC in a couple other categories including second in blocked shots per game (3.4), second in steals per game (7.3), third in total blocks (41) and fifth in total steals (87).

Individually, McCray is 95^th in the nation in free throw attempts (75), 10^th in the RMAC and 104^th in free throws made (54), ninth in the conference. Makhtar Fall (Morocco/Ecole Al Jabr) is 156^th in the nation and fifth in the RMAC in total blocks (13).

First up on Friday night at 7:30 p.m. will be a matchup with Western State. The Mountaineers are 2-11 overall and 1-6 in the RMAC and have lost four straight since a win over WNMU. They have come close in several of those games at home against Adams State and Fort Lewis and on the road at Chadron State. Danny Hopkins leads the team with 13.4 points per game, followed by 11.8 from Ben Beauchamp and 10.5 from Robert Romero. Romero leads the team in rebounds at 5.8 per contest. They average 73.8 points as a team and allow 85.5. They make 44.1 percent (337-765) from the field and allow a 50.6 percentage (397-785). They are 1-4 at home this season.

WNMU will then finish the trip on Saturday night also at 7:30 p.m. against CSU-Pueblo. The ThunderWolves are 8-5 overall and 4-3 in the RMAC having split their last four games. The team is led by Nelson Kahler's 10.7 points per game, while Syrus McDonald (10.4), Odessa Lear (10.3) and Will Neman (10) all average at least 10 per contest. Chris Golden was the team's point leader at 17.7 per game, but is out for the rest of the season. They average 81.8 points per game and allow 80.5. They connect on 44.5 percent (360-809) from the field and allow a 44.1 percentage (367-833). They are 1-2 at home this season.

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.