GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — Mason Rowland certainly came back ready for the stretch run of the Colorado Mesa women's basketball season.
The freshman guard from Durango had an outstanding first weekend of 2024 to lead CMU to a pair of victories at Brownson Arena, and on Monday was selected the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week. It's the first conference award in Rowland's collegiate career.
It's also the first RMAC weekly offensive award of the season for CMU; Olivia Reed was the conference defensive player of the week and the D2 Conference Information Directors Association national player of the week on Nov. 14, the opening week of the season.
Rowland poured in a career-high 30 points on Friday night to lead the Mavericks past CSU Pueblo, 74-59. Coming off the bench as she has all season, she made 9 of 16 field goal attempts and 11 of her 13 free throws in 31 minutes of playing time. She drew a team-high eight fouls, which put her at the free-throw line for 11 of her points.
Against New Mexico Highlands on Saturday night, Rowland again provided instant offense off the bench with 15 points in 23 minutes in a 70-34 victory.
For the weekend, she shot 62 percent from the field, 84 percent from the free-throw line, had seven assists, three steals and 10 rebounds. Rowland drew 14 fouls and committed zero.
The Mavericks, who moved into a tie for third place in the RMAC at 11-3 overall, 5-2 in conference play, are on the road this weekend. CMU plays at Chadron State at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, then travels to Lakewood to face Colorado Christian at 5 p.m. on Saturday.
