GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – The Colorado Mesa Women's Basketball program (2-2) will open up their home schedule this weekend against the University of the Southwest (N.M.) Mustangs and the Montana Western Bulldogs in the annual Holiday Inn Airport Thanksgiving Classic. The Mavericks will tipoff Friday (Nov 29) against the Mustangs at 5 pm and against the Bulldogs on Saturday (Nov 30) at 5 pm.
The Mavericks enter this weekend with a 2-2 record after beginning the season with four road games. They just recently competed in the Dixie State Tournament where they defeated Saint Martin's University, 56-31, and lost to Northwest Nazarene University, 56-52.
Through four games, the Mavericks have shot 40.5 percent from the field and 26.5 percent from the three-point line. At the charity stipe, they have made 52 of their 78 attempts for a 66.7 shooting percentage. The Mavs lead the RMAC in scoring defense at 48.3 points per game and are ranked fourth nationally.
Junior Kelsey Siemons leads the team in scoring at 15.3 points per game and has been the Mavericks' high scorer in all but one game this season. Her scoring average ranks seventh among RMAC opponents and her eight blocks this season ranks first. The Tucson, Ariz. native leads the RMAC in three-point percentage at 54.2 percent (13-of-24).
Daniella Turner, who is averaging 10.8 points per game, is the Mavericks' next best scorer and has come off the bench in each of the Mavs four games. Tori Catlett who has recorded two start this season is leading the team with 7.3 rebounds per game, which ranks eighth in the RMAC.
Thanksgiving Classic History
The Mavericks have not lost a game in their classic since the 2010-2011 season when they fell to Dixie State, 77-69. Since then the Mavericks have won 16 consecutive games during the Thanksgiving Classic.
Head coach Taylor Wagner is undefeated when coaching the Mavericks during the Thanksgiving Classic and is currently five wins away from earning his 175th win at Colorado Mesa. He enters the weekend with a 170-43 record.
Scouting the Mustangs
The Mustangs of Hobbs, New Mexico enter the weekend on a two game losing streak and a 1-6 overall record. In their most recent outing, they fell to Fort Lewis College 87-35. Isabel Rodriguez leads the team in rebounding at 5.0 while Mykal Thomas is shooting 37.3 percent from the field and is averaging a team high 10.1 points per game.
As a team the Mustangs are shooting 57.71 from the field.
The Mustangs are from the Sooner Athletic Conference were they finished 5-13 last season.
Scouting the Bulldogs
The Bulldogs enter the weekend on a three game win streak and with a 6-2 overall record. The Bulldogs are averaging 80.8 points per game and are led by Shannon Worster and Jenni Weber who each are averaging 11.0 points. Worster leads the team with 5.0 rebounds per game and is tied with Gracey Meyer who has totaled 40 rebounds this season. Paige Holmes is the Bulldogs next best scorer at 10.9 points per game.
The Bulldogs are shooting 47.9 percent from the field and 38.1 percent from the three-point line.
Up Next
The Mavericks will begin the RMAC season on the road against UCCS and Colorado School of Mines on Dec 6 and 7, respectively. Both games will take place on the road.
