Grand Junction, Colo. - After over a week of time off from game action, the Colorado Mesa University Men's Basketball Team will return to Brownson Arena for their two final home games of 2024 when they open conference play this week against schools, University of Colorado Colorado Springs and Colorado Christian University.
The Mavericks will play UCCS on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. before concluding their weekend on Saturday against CCU at 3 p.m. Both games will take place in Brownson Arena following the conclusion of the women's basketball games who also play the same opponents.
Colorado Mesa enters this weekend riding a four-game winning streak after taking two wins in the Skyhawks Hardwood Classic and then defeating both Bowie State and Emporia State in Brownson Arena on November 22 and 23. This weekend is the first time the Mavs will face off with an RMAC opponent this season.
LOOKING AT THE NUMBERS
Offensively the Mavs have been a sporadic team this season, with eight different players who have scored in double figures in at least one game.
The team is currently led by Ty Allred, who averages 14.2 points per game, and Harvey White, who averages 12.0 points per game.
In the team's latest game against Emporia State, White would score a career-high 25 points for the highest total scored by any Mav player this season.
White also averages 3.0 assists per game to lead the team.
On the rebounding side, Allred serves as the team leader averaging 7.5, with Will Mortimore averaging 6.7 to rank second on the team.
Mortimore is the only player to have recorded a double-double this season. He would record 12 points and 12 rebounds in CMU's 84-61 victory over Bowie State.
As whole, the team is averaging 71.8 points per game and are shooting 47.2% from the field. From three-point range they are shooting 34.6% which is marked at sixth best in the conference.
Turnovers have still troubled the team though, as in those six games CMU has committed 104. In contrast opponents have only committed 65.
Where the Mavs excel is in rebounding, as they currently outrebound opponents 35.8 to 29.8 for a six-rebound margin. This margin also ranks fourth best in the conference.
ABOUT UCCS
Hailing from Colorado Springs is the Mountain Lions of UCCS who will be the first of the Mavs' opponents this week. Thursday's game will serve as the first RMAC game of each team's schedule.
The Mountain Lions are currently 4-2 on the season, with their most recent game coming as a 107-67 loss to #14 Colorado School of Mines. Prior to that game they had won four in a row.
Four of the team's main contributors from last season return in the group of Xavier Martinez, Jesse Iwaza, Hannes Saar and Jayden Washington who all appeared in 80% or more of the team's games.
Leading them offensively this season is newcomer, William Becker who is averaging 12.8 points per game and 8.7 rebounds per game. Martinez is the only other player to average scoring in double figures with 11.3 per game.
The Mountain Lions will continue west after their game with the Mavs on Thursday to take on Westminster University on Saturday the 7th.
ABOUT COLORADO CHRISTIAN
The Mavs will end their weekend against another team from the front range in the Colorado Chrisitan University Cougars.
The Cougars are 3-2 this season and are currently on a three-game winning streak, with their most recent victory coming in a 76-60 nonconference win over Chadron State.
Before facing off in Brownson Arena on Saturday they will take on Western Colorado University on Thursday for their conference opener.
Similar to the Mountain Lions, CCU has two players who average scoring in double figures with Bradley Land averaging 14.8 and Bobby McWard averaging 10.0. Land also serves as the rebound leader with an average of 6.8 per game.
As a squad the Cougars are the third best shooting team in the conference with a team field goal percentage of 50%.
HOW TO WATCH/LISTEN
Streaming for all of this weekend's games will occur on the RMAC Network free of charge with live stats to follow along with. Radio broadcasting will begin this week as well with 1100 AM KNZZ hosting Thursday's game, and The Team 1340 AM hosting Saturday's game. Tickets for the event can be purchased at cmumavericks.com/tickets or in person at the entrance.
