GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – The Colorado Mesa Mavericks passed the first part of their four-game road test last weekend as they picked up wins against New Mexico Highlands and CSU Pueblo. They will close out this four game road stretch this weekend as they take on Adams State and Fort Lewis on Jan 18 and 19, respectively. Games will tipoff at 5:30 pm both nights and can be watched through the links provided.
At 9-0 in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play the Mavericks sit at the top of the standings and are having their best start to a RMAC season since the 2013-2014 season when the Mavericks won 21 straight games to start conference.
As a team the Mavericks are shooting 41.0% (313-of-763) from the field and 34.3% (107-of-312) from three-point range. They are second in the RMAC for defensive percentage as they hold opponents to a 34.4% (216-of-629) from the field and 29.8% (57-of-191) from the three-point line.
The Mavericks' eleven game win streak comes from very few turnovers and a lock down defense. The Mavs lead the nation in fewest total turnovers (145) and have ten fewer than the next best team. The Mavericks allow 51.4 points per game which is fourth best in the nation among all Division II women's basketball programs.
The Mavericks are led by senior Jaylyn Duran who averages 22.2 points per contest and has been named RMAC Player of the Week twice this season (Dec 17 and Jan 7). She is shooting 44.7% (101-of-226) from the field and 37.6% (50-of-133) from the three-point line.
Kylyn Rigsby has increased her scoring average to 9.0 points per game after averaging 19.5 points last weekend and breaking a new career high 21 points in a win against CSU-Pueblo on Dec 12. She is also second on the team in assists (33).
Sydni Brandon who controls the Mavericks offensive from the point guard position ranks third in the nation for assists-to-turnover ratio at 3.69. She also leads the team in rebounds at 7.0 per contest.
Mavericks Enter WBCA Top 25
For the first time since Dec 8 2015 the Mavericks are ranked in the WBCA Coaches' Top 25 Poll. After being the first team to receive votes the previous week the Mavericks broke into the Top 25 at No. 23 as of Jan 15 2019.
Indiana (PA) who owns a 13-0 record takes the No. 1 position and West Texas A&M who is ranked No. 1 in the south central region take the No. 8 slot in the WBCA Coaches' Poll. For a look at the entire Top 25 click the link above.
Black Hills State who the Mavericks have previously defeated dropped out as of this week.
D2SIDA Women's Basketball National Poll
After receiving votes in the D2SIDA Women's Basketball National Poll the Mavericks have entered the poll at No. 19 as of Jan 15, 2019. They were unranked the weeks before.
This national ranking is a media poll derived from 16 sports information directors – two from each of the Division II eight regions.
Scouting Adams State
The Grizzlies of Alamosa, Colo. currently have a 1-12 record and a 1-8 RMAC record. They defeated Fort Lewis College on Dec 1 by a score of 65-63 to pick up their first win of the season. Since this they have not won a game and are currently on a ten game losing streak. They average 54.5 points per game and are led by Stephanie Ruiz who averages 13.6 points per game.
The Mavericks are 13-2 in the last 15 meetings dating back to Feb of 2011 and have won the previous 13 straight games dating back to Dec 2011.
This game will begin in Plachy Hall at 5:30 pm on Jan 18.
Scouting Fort Lewis
The Skyhawk's of Fort Lewis sit 12th in the conference with a 7-8 record and 3-6 in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play. In their most recent game they suffered a 47-60 loss to Colorado School of Mines.
The Skyhawks have four players averaging double figure including Alyssa Yocky (11.9), Kayla Herrera (11.3), Sydney Candelaria (10.5), and Jordan Carter (10.5). As a team the Skyhawk's are averaging 69.3 points per game.
This contest will take place at the FLC Whalen Gymnasium located in Durango, Colo. at 5:30 pm on Saturday Jan 19.
Next Up
After this weekend the Mavs will return to Brownson Arena for a four game home stand starting with Dixie State and Westminster on Jan 25 and 26 respectively.
Westminster is currently tied with Colorado Mesa at 9-0 in conference.
