GRAND JUNCTION, COLO. - The Colorado Mesa University Men's Basketball Team returns to action this week as they prepare for their first games of the second half of the 2024-25 season when they host conference opponents New Mexico Highlands University and Adams State University in Brownson Arena for the University's first home athletic events of the new year.
The Mavericks last played on December 17 and 18 in their trip to San Antonio, Texas for the River City Holiday Classic where they went 2-0 with victories over both University of Central Oklahoma and Pittsburg State University. Those wins allowed the Mavs to move back to .500 on the year and currently own a two-game winning streak which brings them to 6-6 (0-4 RMAC) on the season.
Entering this week the Mavs will return to the normal RMAC schedule of Thursday and Saturday games. CMU will take on NMHU on Thursday night at 7:30 pm following the women's game, before concluding their week on Saturday against Adams State at 3 p.m. after the women's game as well. All games moving forward will be against conference opponents.
Thursday and Saturday's games will also provide chances for the Mavs to collect their first win in conference play this season.
LOOKING AT THE NUMBERS
Despite being a very young team this season, the Mavs have made large strides throughout the year, with that progress being highlighted by their most recent two victories. Prior to the team's two wins in Texas the Mavs were on a four-game losing streak after dropping all four games of conference play in 2024. The two wins over UCO and Pitt State could prove to be turning points in the season as each of those respective schools are above .500.
Following the team's success in Texas, Christopher Speller was also awarded CMU's first player of the week award this season by earning the week eight defensive player of the week for his efforts in both wins. Speller collected his first career double-double against Central Oklahoma with 14 points and 11 rebounds, while totaling 17 points, 15 rebounds, five assists and five steals over the two games.
Offensively leading the team this season is still Ty Allred who is averaging 14.5 points per game and has scored in double digits every game but one this season. Two other players also average scoring in the double digits with Will Mortimore (11.0 ppg) and Harvey White (10.7 ppg) adding to the team's balanced attack.
Mortimore has also been prevalent in the Mavs' recent success as he has totaled three double-doubles in the team's last five games with him scoring 11 points or more in each of them. His four double-doubles leads the team this season as he has bolstered the team's big man approach.
Mortimore currently serves as the team's rebounding leader at 7.3 per game with Allred grabbing 6.3 per game and Yaak Yaak averaging 5.1 per game.
White is the team's assists leader totaling 41 on the season and averaging 4.1 per game.
Apart from the team's individual performers, CMU as a whole averages 68.9 points per game and on the season are shooting 45.4%. In contrast they are limiting opponent's to shooting just 42.7% from the field.
The Mavs have also excelled from the free throw line this season shooting 72.4% from the stripe which is marked at 7.5% better than opponents.
On the rebounding side CMU is averaging 35.3 boards per game and is grabbing on average 2.8 more than opponents.
In other stats, the Mavs are ranked fourth in the conference for blocks per game with 3.08 and are ranked fifth in the conference in steals averaging 7.17 per game.
ABOUT NEW MEXICO HIGHLANDS
The Cowboys of New Mexico Highlands University will be the Mavs' first opponent this week and are currently the only other team in the conference to remain winless in RMAC play. Overall, the team has played to a 7-5 record but are also 0-4 in the RMAC.
In the team's last game of 2024, they would collect a non-conference victory over Colorado Christian by a score of 65-58 on Dec. 19. Thursday's game is also their first time to play since the beginning of the new year.
The Cowboys have relied heavily on their offensive approach this season with them averaging 82.3 points per game which is ranked for the third highest in the conference. In contrast they give up on average 81.5 points per game, making most of their games to be high scoring affairs.
Kenard Richardson has been the team's leading scorer this season averaging 17 points per game while grabbing 5.2 rebounds per game to also lead the team. Blessin Kimble (11.6 ppg) and Kyrie Thomas (11.2 ppg) are the other two players on the team to average scoring in the double digits and front the team's high scoring offense.
Following Thursday's game, the Cowboys will conclude their weekend on Saturday when they take on Western Colorado.
ABOUT ADAMS STATE
After facing off with the Cowboys, the Mavs will end their week on Saturday when they take on the Grizzlies of Adams State University.
Entering this week the Grizzlies boast a 6-6 record while playing to 1-3 in the RMAC thus far. They are currently riding a two-game winning streak with their most recent victory coming over Northwest Indian College on Dec. 20 by a score of 131-73.
Similar to New Mexico Highlands, Adams State is a team that relies heavily on their high offensive output, scoring a conference-leading 88.8 points per game. They lack defense though by giving up 87.7 points per game to be ranked last in scoring defense.
The Grizzlies have the conference leader in points per game with Jude Tapia averaging a staggering 17.3, with three other players also averaging in the double digits. Those three are Ta'Veus Randle (14.4 ppg), Jaylen Alexander (12.1 ppg) and Wyatt Helming (11.0).
The Grizzlies will face off with the Mavs after first taking on Westminster University on Thursday in their two-game RMAC schedule this week.
HOW TO WATCH
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 be available this week as well with The Team 1340 AM hosting Thursday's game, and 1100 AM KNZZ hosting Saturday's game. Tickets for the event can be purchased at cmumavericks.com/tickets or in person at the entrance.
