GRAND JUNCTION, Colo.- After sweeping opponents last weekend in Brownson Arena the Colorado Mesa Mavericks will hit the road for a four game road test starting this weekend. The Mavericks will first travel to New Mexico Highlands and take on the Cowgirls on Friday Jan 11 at 5 pm. The following day the Mavericks will travel to Pueblo, Colo. for an in state match up against CSU Pueblo. This game will take place Jan 12 at 5:30 pm.
The following weekend the Mavericks will travel to Adams State and Fort Lewis for games on Jan 18 and 19, respectively.
The Mavericks have yet to lose a road game this season. Their one loss comes from a neutral sight game at Dixie State against Western Oregon University. They are currently 3-0 on the road this year and will have multiple opportunities to continue to improve that these next two weekends.
The Mavericks defense has pushed them to the top of the RMAC standings. They have been able to remain perfect in the RMAC only allowing 50.9 points per game while scoring at an average of 65.4 points per contest which is only the seventh highest scoring average in the RMAC.
A Look at the Mavericks
The Mavericks are 10-1 this season and coming off back-to-back wins against South Dakota School of Mines and Black Hills State that occurred last weekend. The Mavericks are led offensively by senior Jaylyn Duran who averages 23.8 point per game and leads the nation in three-points field goals per game at 4.3. Senior forward Karina Brandon contributes both offensively and defensively as she is averaging 7.5 points per game and grabs 4.8 rebounds per contest. Sophomore Kylyn Rigsby has started every game this season for the Mavericks and is averaging 7.1 points per game along with 2.6 rebounds per contest. Sydni Brandon grabs 7.3 rebounds per game while adding 45 assists and only 14 turnovers, the sixth best assists-turnover ratio in the nation. Kelsey Siemons is a threat from deep as she has made the second most three-pointers on the team at 16 and is shooting an impressive 39.0% from downtown (16-of-41) and has the third most blocks in the RMAC at 16. Tori Cateltt who comes off the bench also adds to the Maverick's block party with 12 blocks of her own this season.
Head Coach Taylor Wagner earned his 150th career win last weekend and is Colorado Mesa's second winningest coach behind former head coach Steve Kirkam who has a total of 299 wins spanning from 1988-2004. Wagner reach 150 wins in just seven season with the Mavericks.
Duran Player of the Week
Senior Jaylyn Duran was named the RMAC offensive player of the week Monday Jan 7 by conference officials. This is back-to-back offensive player of the week honors for the senior leading the RMAC at 23.8 points per game.
After her performance last weekend Duran now leads the country in three-point field goals made (47) and three-point field goals made per game (4.3) among all active DII women's basketball players.
Receiving National Votes
The Maverick's nine game win streak and win over No. 22 Black Hills State gave the Mavericks some national attention as they are the first team receiving votes (37) in the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Division II Top 25 Coaches' Poll.
They are also receiving votes (14) in the D2SIDA Women's Basketball National Poll which was released Jan 8. The Mavs improved to No. 4 in the south central region after last weekend and have the second best record at 10-1 behind West Texas A&M who is ranked No. 1 nationally at 12-0.
For a look at both national polls click the links above.
A Look at New Mexico Highlands
The Cowgirls of New Mexico Highlands will enter Brownson Arena on a four game losing streak dating back to Dec 14. They are currently 1-6 in conference and 3-11 overall. There one conference win comes from a 66-62 defeat over Adams State University on Dec 8.
They currently are tied for last place in the RMAC along with South Dakota School of Mines and Adams State.
The Cowgirls are led by Jordyn Lewis who averages 15. 6 points per game.
A Look at CSU Pueblo
The Wolfpack of Pueblo, Colo. are currently 8-5 overall and 6-1 in conference. They currently sit at third in the RMAC standing behind Colorado Mesa and Westminster. Their one conference loss comes from Westminster where they trailed 58-65 at the end of four quarters. As a team they are averaging 71.4 points per game and are led by Khiya Adams and Jennah Knahelc who are averaging 14.6 and 14.5, respectively.
A Look at What's to Come
The Mavericks will conclude their four game road trip at Adams Stats and Fort Lewis on Jan 18 and 19. Both games will tipoff at 5:30 p.m.
