GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – The Colorado Mesa Mavericks women's hoops program will return home to Brownson Arena this Friday and Saturday for games against Fort Lewis and Adams State after spending the last two weekends on the road. Friday and Saturdays games will tip-off at 5:30 pm.
A Look at the Mavericks
Senior Jaylyn Duran leads the Mavericks in scoring registering 19.3 points per game. This average leads the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference and her 3.22 three-point field goals per game ranks her fourth among all Division II women's basketball sharp shooters. She is currently six three-pointers away from becoming Colorado Mesa University's all-time three point leader. She currently has made 241 three-pointers. This Friday's game will be Duran's 100th game played as a Maverick.
At point guard Sydni Brandon has totaled 95 assists this season while leading the team with 6.8 rebounds per game. Brandon's assists-to-turnover ratio checks in at 3.52 which currently leads the nation.
After Natalie Bartle's 11-of-11 free throw shooting performance against Regis University last weekend she leads the team in free throw percentage connecting at a 90 percent rate. Kelsey Siemons leads the team in three-point shooting at 36.6 percent.
The Mavericks defense ranks alongside some of the best in the country. The Mavericks lead the conference in defensive percentage and rank 22nd across the nation posting a defensive field goal percentage of 35.7 percent. The Mavericks opponents are scoring only 51.5 points per game which puts their scoring defense fourth best among all Division II women's basketball teams.
Along with defense the Mavericks value the ball and only average 11.9 turnovers a game which is good enough to rank seventh in the nation.
Regional Rankings
In the first regional ranking released today by the NCAA the Mavericks were picked No. 2 behind Lubbock Christian. Westminster and West Texas A&M were picked in third and fourth behind Colorado Mesa.
There will be three more regional ranking released on Wednesday of each week. The fourth and final regional ranking will be released on section Sunday along with the national tournament which will take place March 10.
For a look at the entire South Central regional ranking click the link provided above.
National Rankings
The Mavs checked in at No. 22 in this week's WBCA Coaches Poll which was released Feb. 19. The Mavericks have been ranked for five consecutive weeks now dating back to Jan 15 when they entered the poll at No. 23
In the D2SIDA Women's Basketball National Poll the Mavs ranked No. 19.
Both National Polls can be viewed through the links above.
Scouting Fort Lewis
The Skyhawks enter this weekend's contest with an 11-14 record and 7-12 RMAC record. In their last meeting with the Mavericks on Jan 23 they lost 52-61.
The Skyhawks are currently on a two game winning streak after defeating both Westminster and Dixie State University last weekend.
As a team they are shooting 40.6 percent from the field and 29.7 percent from the three-point line. The Skyhawks have four players averaging double digits including, Alyssa Yocky (11.3), Kayla Herrera (10.8), Sydney Candelaria (10.4) and Jordan Carter (10.2).
Scouting Adams State
Adams State University currently has a 2-21 record and a 2-17 RMAC record. In their last meeting with the Mavericks they lost 49-59 in Alamosa, Colo. The Grizzlies are shooting 36.7 percent from the field and 28.6 percent from the three-point line.
Their leading scorer Stephanie Ruiz averages 11.4 points and 5.2 rebounds per game.
The Grizzlies are currently on a seven game losing streak that dates back to Jan 23. The Mavericks have not lost a game to Adams State since 2011. Since that game the Mavs have won 15 straight conest against the Grizzlies.
Next Up
The Mavericks will close out the regular Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference season against Western State Colorado on March 1 at 5:30 pm. Before tip-off the Mavericks will honor this year's seniors on senior night.
