GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. - The Colorado Mesa Women's Basketball team (8-2, 4-0) will face another undefeated Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference team, Western Colorado, this Friday at 5:30 pm in Brownson Arena. Colorado Mesa, Western Colorado, and Westminster are the only undefeated teams in RMAC play entering the weekend.

The Mavericks are off to an undefeated start in conference play behind the nation's number one defense. The Mavericks are limiting opponents to 30.0 percent shooting from the field and 46.8 points per game. This defensive effort leads all women's basketball teams at the Division II level. Kelsey Siemons leads the conference in blocked shots (16) and three-point field goal percentage (50.0) she is tied for first place (fourth nationally) against Western's Samantha Coleman who pays a visit to Brownson on Friday.

Sydni Brandon, a two-time RMAC Defensive Player of the Week, leads the conference in steals (35) and ranks eighth nationally. The Grand Junction native is averaging 5.9 rebounds per game, 6.1 points per game, 4.6 assists per game, and 3.5 steals per game.

Player of the Week Repeat

For the second straight week, Colorado Mesa University junior Daniella Turner has been named as the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week.

The announcement was made Monday afternoon and comes after Turner averaged 22.0 points per game and led the Mavericks to another 2-0 weekend.

Against MSU Denver, Turner recorded 23 points and knocked down 10 field goals on 15 shots (66.7 percent). The next night against Chadron, Turner recorded 21 points (9-of-18 FG). Through the first four conference game, Turner has led the RMAC with 24.3 points per game.

The Florida native has led the Mavs in scoring five times this season including the last four consecutive games.

Regional Rankings

Released on Dec 16, the Mavericks improved to No. 5 in the D2SIDA women's basketball week 5 regional poll. Western Colorado entered the regional poll this week tied at No. 9 with Fort Lewis. Westminster leads the RMAC at No. 3.

The Mavs are now receiving votes in the D2SIDA National Poll.

Six sports information directors from the Lone Star Conference and three from the RMAC vote in the South Central Region poll.

Scouting Western

The Mountaineers enter the weekend with a 6-2 overall record and 4-0 conference record. The will travel to Brownson on a six game win streak. The team is averaging 64.5 points per game on 44.3 field goal percentage. From three-point land the Mountaineers are averaging 6.3 per game and shooting 35.5 percent as a team from that range.

Behind the Mavericks, the Mountaineers are second in conference for defense only allowing 53.5 points per game.

Gabie Doud leads the team in rebounds with 4.1 per game and has totaled 41 this season.

The Mountaineers are led by Samantha Coleman who is averaging 11.4 points per game and shooting 48.4 percent from the field and 50.0 percent from the three-point line. She leads the team in three-point attempts and makes (22-of-44).

About the Matchup

The Mavericks are 20-6 against the Mountaineers dating back to 1991. Under the direction of Taylor Wagner the Mavericks have only lost one time to Western Colorado which was during the 2017-2018 season.

Up Next

The Mavericks will resume RMAC games after the New Year on Jan 3 and 4. These game will take place on the road against South Dakota School of Mines and Black Hills State University. The game against South Dakota School of Mines will take place on Jan 3 at 5:30 pm at the King Center. The following day (Jan 4) the Mavs will play Black Hills State at 4 pm at the Donald E. Young Center.

The Mavs will return home on Jan 10 and 11 against New Mexico Highlands and CSU-Pueblo.