Mines (3-3) at Western Colorado (2-1) – Friday, 5:30 p.m. [Live Stats] [Live Video]
Mines (3-3) at Colorado Mesa (4-1) – Saturday, 5:30 p.m. [Live Stats] [Live Video]
 

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ON THE RMAC NETWORK
Every Mines home game and RMAC road game can be seen live and for free on the RMAC Network at minesathletics.com/tv. The RMAC Network can also be found on Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire, and Android TV devices by going to the app store and searching "RMAC".
 
WESTERN SLOPE TWO-FER
The Colorado School of Mines Women's Basketball team is headed west for the weekend as it continues RMAC play against Western Colorado and Colorado Mesa. The road trip marks the end of a three-game road swing to start RMAC play. A 2-0 weekend would put the Orediggers above .500 and in the top half of the RMAC standings while a split keeps Mines at .500 overall but just under the mark in conference play. In her seventh year at the helm, head coach Brittany Simpson is well aware of the grind that is RMAC play and the importance of each and every game, no matter what time of year it is.
 
LOOKING BACK
Mines opened its RMAC slate last Saturday at UCCS with a 73-69 loss to the Mountain Lions. The Orediggers registered more field goals than the home team, but UCCS shot hot from behind the arc to carry itself to victory. Some bright spots in the loss included a career high 22 points for true freshman Denali Pinto. Additionally, Raven Herrera recorded her third consecutive double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds. Mines outscored the Mountain Lions in the paint, on second chances and in transition. However, UCCS cashed in on 41 points from its bench.
 
SCOUTING WESTERN COLORADO
Western Colorado welcomes the Orediggers to Gunnison, Colo., with just three games under its belt. At 2-1 on the year, the Mountaineers won their first two games of the season before dropping its RMAC opener to Colorado Mesa. Balance is the word for Western Colorado's offense with no players averaging double digits in scoring but four averaging 8.0 points per game, or better. On paper, the overall leader is Tammarrah Gothard who scores 9.0 points per game and grabs 6.7 rebounds per game. She also dishes out 3.0 assists per game with eight total steals on the year. On the national stage, the Mountaineers rank #4 in NCAA Division II in fewest fouls and fewest turnovers. Western Colorado also sits #26 in the nation in scoring defense. Discipline appears to be the name of the game in Gunnison while Mines will look to use Western Colorado's own defensive game against it.
 
WHAT'S A MOUNTAINEER
Western Colorado University, previously known as Colorado State Normal School and Western State Colorado University, uses the nickname Mountaineers for its athletics programs. Merriam-Webster defines a Mountaineer as a native or inhabitant of a mountainous region, or a person who clibms mountains for sport. The institution lives up to its nickname as the first school (1901) on the Western Slope of the Colorado Rocky Mountains. Western Colorado further embraces its geological location and history with its Mountain Sports program which includes freeride skiing and snowboarding, alpine ski racing, Nordic ski racing and many more. With three freeride skiing athletes qualifying for the Freeride World Tour, it's clear Western Colorado is truly, the Mountaineers.
 
PAUL WRIGHT GYM
The home to Western Colorado basketball, volleyball and wrestling is Paul Wright Gym. It's named after a 38-year professor, coach and administrator at then Western State College. He was also a judge and mayor in Gunnison and played a key role in establishing skiing as an NCAA sport. The facility was built in 1951 and now boasts a capacity of 1,800 spectators. It is boasted as the highest collegiate gym in the world at 7,723 feet above sea level. The complex also features a swimming pool, wrestling room and 2,500 square foot weight room. Seating for spectators is typical gymnasium bleachers with a lower "bowl" and upper mezzanine area across from the team's benches.
 
SCOUTING COLORADO MESA
Colorado Mesa enters the weekend 4-1 overall and 1-0 in RMAC play ranked ninth in the DII media poll. With UCCS scheduled Friday, the Mavericks have the chance to face Mines riding a four-game win streak with an undefeated record in conference play. Mesa's lone loss came on opening weekend to Western Oregon in St. George, Utah. The clear-cut leader for CMU is Jaylyn Duran who's averaging stunning 22.2 points per game. The next closest Maverick, Kylyn Rigsby averages 9.8 points per game. On the boards, Sydni Brandon leads the way with 6.8 per game. Brandon has also dished out 24 assists, at a rate of nearly 5.0 per contest. As a team, CMU ranks #6 in DII in fewest turnovers, #15 in scoring defense and #28 in three-point field goals attempted. Another squad boasting discipline and defense will force the Orediggers to maintain focus throughout the entire trip.
 
UNBRANDED YOUNGIN'
Formerly known as Mesa State, Colorado Mesa claims the nickname Mavericks for its athletics teams. In the context of CMU, a maverick is defined as an unbranded calf or yearling. However, the term more commonly refers to an unorthodox or independent-minded person. Maverick is also the nickname of Tom Cruise's character in the 1986 film Top Gun, as well as a steel roller coaster and Cedar Point amusement park in Sandusky, Ohio. Maverick is also the title of the famous western television show created by Roy Huggins, running from 1957-62, starring James Garner.
 
BROWNSON ARENA
Colorado Mesa volleyball, wrestling and basketball all compete inside Brownson Arena. Opened in 1968 boasting seating for 1,800, Brownson Arena was most recently renovated in 2009 with the addition of seat-back bleachers on the west wall and expanded seating on the east wall. New scoreboards and sound system allow CMU to tout the facility as, "one of the best small college facilities in the country." The renovations also added luxury suites overlooking the gym. Generally speaking, the arena maintains a standard layout with stands on either side but not at the ends. Fans can park just east of the main entrance in the Maverick Center parking garage.
 
SERIES HISTORY
Mines has faced Western Colorado and Colorado Mesa a combined 127 times in program history. The Orediggers trail both all-time series with a 25-36 mark against the Mountaineers and 14-52 record against the Mavericks. Despite the overall deficit, Mines boasts five straight wins over Western Colorado and has not lost to the Mountaineers since Jan. 2, 2015. The Orediggers last win over Colorado Mesa came inside Lockridge Arena on Dec. 8, 2015. That was the same season Mines went 21-7 and advanced to the NCAA Tournament.
 
FAMILIAR FOOTING
As many Coloradoans are aware, footing in the mountains is key to safety and success. That makes familiar footing all the more important. Mines has just that when it comes to this weekend's trip – specifically in regards to Grand Junction. The Orediggers tout two ties to the western hub in head coach Brittany Simpson and senior forward Nicole Archambeau. Simpson played her college ball for the Mavericks from 2002-06. She was a two-time, All-RMAC player and finished her career as CMU's career free-throw percentage leader at 89.1 percent over four years. Archambeau also played at Colorado Mesa her freshman and sophomore year before transferring to Mines where she has transformed into an All-RMAC performer.
 
LOOKING FOR 100
In her seventh season at Mines, head coach Brittany Simpson has 98 wins and 80 losses. Just two wins away from 100, Simpson has a chance to reach the landmark at her alma mater Saturday. However, it won't be easy as Mines' last win over the Mavericks came in 2015. That was inside Lockridge Arena. The Orediggers' last win inside Brownson Arena in Grand Junction, Colo., over CMU came Dec. 12, 2008 by a score of 67-49. While it is a tall task, the challenge makes accomplishing it all the more special for Simpson and the Orediggers.
 
THE RAVEN
No, this is not in reference to Edgar Allan Poe's narrative poem but Mines' redshirt sophomore Raven Herrera. After sitting out her freshman year and coming off the bench for just 11.5 minutes per game last season, Herrera has burst onto the scene for the Orediggers. Rather than "nevermore" (see Poe's poem) it should be evermore as it appears the Albuquerque native cannot be stopped with three straight double-doubles including 10 steals, two blocks and three assists in the same span. Herrera's best performance thus far came against Texas A&M-International to the tune of 18 points and 13 rebounds with four steals. Herrera now ranks #4 in the RMAC with 8.2 rebounds per game and #26 in scoring with 10.2 points per game. She's also tied for #8 in the league averaging 2.0 steals per game.
 
CHASING 1,000
The senior duo of Cassidy Budge and Anna Kollmorgen are both within reach of 1,000-career points. With a combined 1,508 points, Budge boasts 794 for her career while Kollmorgen touts a total of 733. Based on previous seasons, both Orediggers are within reach of the 1,000-point mark but will need to be efficient in their scoring. Additionally, Budge currently ranks third all-time at Mines with 157 three-point baskets in her career. Kollmorgen sits #5 on Mines' all-time assists list.

 
RMAC RUNDOWN
It may be early in the conference season, but it's never too soon to take a look at the standings. With a balanced schedule, eight teams are 1-0 and eight teams are 0-1. The top half of the league features #14 Black Hills State, Colorado Mesa, Westminster, Colorado Christian, CSU-Pueblo, Adams State, MSU Denver and UCCS. Interestingly enough, five of the top eight teams have overall records under .500. This weekend should provide balance and clarity with a full, two-game slate instead of last weekend's one-off.
 
OREIDGGER LEADERS
Mines has four individuals averaging double digits in scoring. The quartet is led by true freshman Denali Pinto who's putting up 15.3 points per game. On the glass, it's Nicole Archambeau and Raven Herrera leading the way each with 8.2 rebounds per game. However, Herrera leads the total number with 49 boards compared to Archambeau's 41. Pinto also leads the Orediggers with six blocks, putting her at 1.0 blocks per game. Herrera is lockdown on defense with a team-high 12 steals on the season. Predictably, Anna Kollmorgen leads Mines with 23 assists at nearly 4.0 per game. Heidi Hammond is a perfect 6-for-6 at the free-throw line while Cassidy budge leads from long range at exactly 60 percent.
 
NATIONAL STATISTICAL RANKINGS
At .500 on the season, Mines is flying under the radar with some impressive numbers on the national stage. The Orediggers are #14 in NCAA Division II in offensive rebounds per game, #22 in three-point field goal percentage and #32 in rebound margin. Individually, Raven Herrera is #43 in the nation with her three double-doubles and #40 in offensive rebounds per game.
 
LOOKING AHEAD
Mines returns home Dec. 15-16 to face Colorado Christian and Regis. Live stats and video will be available at MinesAthletics.com.