SPEARFISH, S.D. - The Colorado State University Pueblo Women's Basketball team returns to the hardwood this weekend, looking to make up ground on first place as the Pack take on Black Hills State tomorrow evening, and Chadron State on Saturday.

The ThunderWolves head into the weekend sitting in a three-way tie for third place in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference with an 8-4 record, sitting two games back of Colorado Mesa who is 10-2, and half a game back of Adams State. The only reason the Pack are not in second place is due to Adams State playing one more game than the Pack. CSU Pueblo owns the tiebreaker over Adams State, and controls their own destiny to finish second in the league.

CSU Pueblo is tied with Western Colorado and Black Hills State who both have 8-4 conference records. The ThunderWolves own the tiebreaker (head to head victory) over Western Colorado, and can take over the head to head over Black Hills State with a victory tomorrow.

The Pack are still in good standing at 13-7 overall and still have a chance to win the RMAC. CSU Pueblo sits in seventh place in the most recent South Central Regional Standings, which if the season ended today, would guarantee the ThunderWolves a spot in the NCAA Tournament. The South Central Region is composed of RMAC and Lone Star Conference teams, with the top eight in the region advancing to the NCAA Tournament.

ABOUT THE PACK
2x All-American Alisha Little (Aurora, Colo./Northern Colorado) continues to dominate the RMAC and all of NCAA Division II. Little is coming off being named the WBCA National Player of the Week for the third time this season and fourth time she has been named the RMAC Offensive/Defensive Player of the Week. She is coming off a week in which she averaged 31 points per game, 14.5 boards, 5.5 steals, 3 assists, and 3 blocks per game. Little leads the RMAC in scoring at 25.4 points per game, and is second in the nation in that category, only trailing Emilee Weakley of Frostburg State (27.7 ppg). Little leads the conference in rebounding at 11.8 boards per game, and leads the league by a wide margin in blocks at 3.9 per contest. She is second in the nation in blocks at 77. Little is just 11 points shy of tying Nadia Fercha's school record of 1,598 at CSU Pueblo. Little is only one of five in all divisions of the NCAA with 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds. Little and Ayoka Lee (Kansas State) are the only active players with 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds, and 300 blocks.

Little has been named the WBCA National Player of the Week three times this season. In addition, Little has been named both the RMAC Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week four times this season in the same week. 

Tomia Johnson (Colorado Springs, Colo./FGCU) has been a solid complement to Little, as the two-time All-RMAC player is second on the team in scoring at 8.1 points per game, while in full control of the offense. Johnson, one of the best two-way guards in the league is seventh in assists with 64 on the season, and is fifth in the league in assist/turnover ration at just 1.3. On the defensive side, Johnson is averaging 1.5 steals per game.

Johnson enters this week's action having recorded 313 career assists and 188 career steals. Johnson is currently tied for sixth on the school's career assist chart. In addition, her 188 steals are ninth on the school's all-time chart. Johnson's 313 career assists is 41st among active NCAA Division II players.

The Pack are one of the top teams in the league at collecting steals as they are second in the league, averaging 11.5 steals per game and have collected 230 steals in 20 games this season. The Pack have recorded double-digit steals in 12 of its last 16 games, including a season-high 19 against Colorado Christian. Little leads the way for the pack with 67 steals as she is second in the RMAC in steals per games at 3.1. Little's 67 steals are also 15th nationally in Division II. Senior Guard Tosjanae Bonds (Denver, Colo./MSU Denver) is second in steals with 45 and is averaging 2.4 per game, which is fourth-best in the RMAC and 15th among active Division II players with 217 in her career. 

The Pack are led by Head Coach Tommie Johnson, who is in his sixth season leading the ThunderWolves and knows the league well, playing at UCCS during his college days. Johnson had put together a 78-78 career record. Johnson, who is one of the most well-respected coaches in the nation, looks to get the ThunderWolves back in the RMAC Tournament and the NCAA Tournament. 

ABOUT BLACK HILLS STATE
The Yellow Jackets come into Thursday's match-up sporting a 12-7 overall record and an 8-4 record in the RMAC. Black Hills State and CSU Pueblo both started off conference play scorching hot, as both squads started 6-0 and were in a tie for first during that stretch. This is the first meeting between the two squads this season. Last season, Black Hills won the only match-up of the season in Spearfish 66-64. Black Hills State is currently on a three-game losing streak.

The Yellow Jackets have balanced scoring across the board with four scorers in double-figures. 

Kalla Bertram leads the way with 13.4 points per game on 43 percent shooting. Haylee Weathersby is right behind her with 13.1 points per game on 55 percent shooting. Morgan Hammerbeck is averaging 11.8 points per game, while Bradie Schlabs is at 11.2 points per game.

Rachel Erickson is at the helm for the Yellow Jackets as she is in her first season at Black Hills State. Erickson returns to her alma mater after a two-year stint at Colorado State University where she spent time as both the Director of Player Development (2022-23) and as an assistant coach this past season (2023-24).

ABOUT CHADRON STATE
The Eagles come in Saturday's match-up with a 4-14 overall record an a 3-9 record in the RMAC. Earlier in the season when the two squads met on Dec. 12, the ThunderWolves were able to wear down Chadron State, defeating them 72-61. Little was dominant in the match-up, recording a double-double with 23 points on 9-18 shooting, and 12 rebounds. Landri Hudson (Aurora, Colo./Wyoming) played well in the game, recording 13 points, including 3-7 from behind the arc.

Chadron State is coming off a big win last Thursday, defeating Black Hills State 60-50 at home in Nebraska.

The Eagles have three double-digit scorers as Allison Richards leads the way at 10.8 points per game.

Chadron State is led by Head Coach Travis Brewster,  a veteran head coach who is a three-time Coach of the Year across all levels of collegiate sports, began leading the Chadron State women's basketball program ahead of the 2023-24 season.