CEDAR CITY, Utah - The Southern Utah University women's basketball team is set to resume Western Athletic Conference play this week. First up, the Thunderbirds will travel to Phoenix to face Grand Canyon on Thursday, Jan. 4 at 6 p.m. MT. Then, SUU returns to the America First Event Center to host in-state rival Utah Valley on Saturday, Jan. 6 at 5 p.m. MT.

GAME INFO

Southern Utah vs. Grand Canyon

            Date: Thursday, Jan. 4

            Tip-off: 6 p.m. MT

            Live Stream | Live Stats

Southern Utah vs. Utah Valley

            Date: Saturday, Jan. 6

            Tip-off: 5 p.m. MT

            Live Stream | Live Stats

HEAD COACH TRACY MASON SAYS

"We're excited for WAC conference play. Every game is a big game so we have to be ready to compete. GCU is a top team in the conference and we'll start with them on the road. Big test for us."

TOP T-BIRDS

• Megan Smith has been a force to be reckoned with for SUU, averaging 16.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per contest.
• Daylani Ballena scores 14.5 points and dishes out a team-high 3.3 assists each game for the Thunderbirds.
• Ava Uhrich leads the team with 6.8 rebounds to go along with 12.3 points per game.

LAST TIME OUT

Southern Utah vs. UTEP

First Half

The Miners built a 6-2 lead to start the game. The Thunderbirds fought back from the early deficit, with Ava Uhrich splashing a trey and Megan Smith connecting on a layup to give SUU a 7-6 lead with 5:30 remaining in the first frame. UTEP bounced back with a 12-4 stretch to take an 18-11 lead at the end of the first quarter.

The two squads took turns exchanging baskets early in the second period as the Thunderbirds trimmed the lead to six, 22-16, with 7:00 on the clock. However, the Miners would score nine of the next 11 points to jump in front 31-18. UTEP held a 36-23 advantage at the break.

Second Half

The third quarter was a back-and-forth affair as the Miners would outscore the Thunderbirds 27-24. Samantha Johnston and Charli Kay combined for 15 points in the period to fuel Southern Utah's attack as UTEP led 63-47 heading into the final frame.

Uhrich led the charge for the Thunderbirds in the fourth quarter, recording seven points while shooting perfect from the field. However, the lead proved to be insurmountable as the Miners claimed an 89-62 victory.

SCOUTING REPORT: GRAND CANYON ANTELOPES

• Grand Canyon owns a 10-3 record with a 2-0 effort in Western Athletic Conference play.

• The Lopes average 67.6 points per game, while holding their opponents to only 54.9 points.

• Trinity San Antonio (11.9), Naudia Evans (10.8), and Tiarra Brown (10.2) all score over 10 points per game for the Lopes.

SCOUTING REPORT: UTAH VALLEY WOLVERINES

• Utah Valley is currently 5-6 overall with an 0-2 record in WAC play.

• The Wolverines score 58.3 points per game, while their opponents average 58.8 points.

• Kaylee Byon leads the team with 8.4 points per game.

HISTORY

• SUU owns a 4-3 all-time record against Grand Canyon, with the Thunderbirds winning the past four games.

• The Thunderbirds are 17-9 against the Wolverines in all-time matchups.

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For all the latest on Southern Utah women's basketball, follow @SUUWBasketball on Twitter and Instagram and like the Southern Utah Women's Basketball Facebook page.

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