Colorado Mesa opens Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play this weekend when it hosts Chadron State Friday (Dec. 6) and Black Hills State Saturday (Dec. 7). 

Coach Shantz

Head coach Andy Shantz earned his first two career wins last weekend. His first win was a 69-64 victory over Montana Western. He followed up with a 79-77 win over CSU-Pueblo. 

Double Double-Doubles

Junior Mike Melillo tallied a double-double in both games of the Holiday Inn - Airport Thanksgiving Classic. He opened the weekend with 13 points and 12 rebounds, including four offensive, against Montana Western. The Boulder, Colo., native followed up with 15 points and 12 rebounds, including six offensive, against CSU-Pueblo. He also had a season-high five assists each night. 

Making Baskets

Colorado Mesa drained a season-high 30 field goals against CSU-Pueblo Sunday. The Mavericks also shot a season-high 58-percent (30-51) from the field. The team also set season-bests for 3-pointers (9) and 3-point shooting (.563). 

Block Party

Junior Jon Orr made a career-high three blocks against CSU-Pueblo. The three blocks are the most by a Maverick this season. 

Career Night

Sophomore Joe Kiely scored a career-high 14 points after shooting 5-of-6 from the field, 1-of-2 from behind the arc, and making all three free throws. The Columbia, Md., native sealed the win against CSUP with a block on the final shot of the game by the Tunderwolves. Kiely also recorded four assists and a season-high two steals in the game. 

Good From Deep

Junior Jerry Duckworth drained his first four 3-pointers on his way to a career-high 15 points, all from behind the arc, against Montana Western Saturday. 

Last Time Out

Colorado Mesa made six of its last seven shots in a come-from-behind win over CSU-Pueblo in a non-conference game in the Holiday Inn - Airport Thanksgiving Classic Sunday (Dec. 1). Landon Vermeer scored a team-high 16 points, and Mike Melillo tallied a double-double (15 points and 12 rebounds) for the Mavericks. 

Looking Ahead

Colorado Mesa will play their first conference road games Dec. 13 and 14 at Western New Mexico and New Mexico Highlands.