GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – The reigning RMAC Defensive Player of the Year showed absolutely no signs of rust as Colorado Mesa's 2023-24 season got underway last weekend.

Mac Riniker was named the season's first RMAC Defensive Player of the Week after picking up where he left off during the season-opening games vs. DBU and St. Edward's.

Through two games, Riniker is averaging 16.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per game while tallying a block and four steals apiece in each contest. Riniker's eight total steals and 4.0 steals per game are tied for third in all of Division II this season after Riniker led the RMAC with 53 steals last season. The redshirt junior from Steamboat Springs is also shooting 68.4 percent from the field and 42.9 percent from three-point range.

Riniker had 15 points, six rebounds, three assists, a block and four steals in the season-opener against DBU, shooting 6 of 8 from the field. The following night, in a win over St. Edward's, Riniker had 18 points and seven rebounds with a block and four steals. For the week, 11 of Riniker's 13 rebounds were defensive boards.

The Mavericks open the home portion of their schedule this weekend, facing Texas A&M-Kingsville this Friday at 7 p.m. before facing Texas A&M International on Saturday at 7 p.m.