LAS VEGAS–The stage is set as the Southern Utah University women's basketball team (22-9; WAC 16-2) will take on fourth-seeded California Baptist (19-13; WAC 13-5) in the Western Athletic Conference Championship Game, looking to secure the first NCAA Tournament bid in program history. 

Game Info

Southern Utah vs California Baptist

Date: Mar 11, 2023 

Tip-off: 4:30 p.m. MT

Location: Las Vegas, Nevada

Venue: Orleans Arena 

Live Stats  Live Stream

WAC Semifinals

Southern Utah powered through the WAC semifinals with a dominating 64-51 victory over the Grand Canyon Lopes behind a high-octane scoring attack from Megan Jensen and Cherita Daugherty. The Thunderbirds never trailed after the first quarter. Jensen tied her career high in scoring with 22 points, eight rebounds, and two assists, while Daugherty followed up an unforgettable last-second heave in the quarterfinals with 16 points, eight rebounds, and four assists outing. 

Cal Baptist picked up an incredible 69-64 upset win over top-seeded Stephen F Austin. The Lancers led the Ladyjacks by 16 at one point as Chloe Webb and Filipa Barros led the way offensively with a combined 30 points. 

Last Time Against Lancers 

The Thunderbirds hosted the Lancers 11 days ago on Tuesday, Feb 28, in the America First Event Center, where SUU clinched the WAC Regular season title in an intense high scoring, 83-75 victory over the Lancers. Tomekia Whitman led all Thunderbirds with a season-high 25 points on 9-10 shooting from the free throw line and nine rebounds coming off the bench. Megan Jensen also provided a much-needed spark with 17 points, four rebounds, and three assists. Southern Utah had control in this first matchup. They held a 62-47 lead, heading into the final quarter when the Lancers fought back within six points, but Whitman and Daugherty stayed composed and iced the game with five separate trips to the free throw line in the final 90 seconds to secure the victory.  

Conference Finals Games

1994-95

Conference: American West

March 11, Southern Utah 89, Cal State Sacramento 58

Recap:
Cherri Frandsen paced a balanced scoring attack of four players in double figures with a sizzling 25 points thanks to an 11-for-13 performance from the field.  Myndee Larsen (14), Hillarie Dunn (11), and Heidi Robins (10) also broke double digits during the game.

In fact, Frandsen and Larsen both notched double-doubles with 11 and 14 rebounds each.  Courtney Wayland also collected 10 rebounds as the 'Birds snared an astonishing 64 rebounds in the game thanks to holding Sacramento to just 20.5 percent shooting and 18.8 from beyond the arc. Additionally, Wayland led the squad with five assists, while Larsen proved dominant in the paint with four blocks.  

1995-96

Conference: American West

March 2, Southern Utah 87, Cal State Sacramento 54, Final 

Recap:
Cherri Frandsen and Tami Newton torched Sacramento en route to SUU's second conference championship.  Frandsen tallied a monster double-double with 30 points and 14 rebounds in just 29 minutes of play.  Newton, meanwhile, connected for 21 points, while Lindsey Mortensen led the way with nine assists. 

Telling Stats

• Tomekia Whitman has been a crucial piece for the Thunderbirds down the stretch, averaging 14.75 points in her last four games. 

• Cherita Daugherty leads Southern Utah with 15 points per contest and has been lethal from the free throw line, making 30 out of 32 attempts in the last three games. 

• This contest will be an absolute slugfest on the boards, with SUU averaging 42.0 rebounds per game and CBU pulling down 41.2. 

• Lizzy Williamson is one of the best rim protectors in the conference averaging 2.33 each game. 

• California Baptist loves to launch shots from three-point land. They average 30 attempts every contest. 

• The Lancers have three players averaging double digits Trinity San Antonio (14.6), Grace Schmidt (13.1), and Chloe Webb (11.2). 

Championship Game Ticket Information

Thunderbird fans looking to make the journey to Vegas, tickets are available for purchase on the Orleans website or at the box office when you arrive. 

Championship Tickets

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