CEDAR CITY, Utah - Back-to-back home games are in store for the Southern Utah University women's basketball team this week. First up, the Thunderbirds will host in-state rival Utah Tech on Thursday, Feb. 8 at 6:30 p.m. MT. Then, SUU will face Grand Canyon on Saturday, Feb. 10 at 2 p.m. MT.
GAME INFO
Southern Utah vs. Utah Tech
   Date: Thursday, Feb. 8
   Tip-off: 6:30 p.m. MT
   Live Stream | Live Stats
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Southern Utah vs. Grand Canyon
   Date: Saturday, Feb. 10
   Tip-off: 2 p.m. MT
   Live Stream | Live Stats
HEAD COACH TRACY MASON SAYS
"We are looking forward to being home this week against UT and GCU. Thursday is our pink game, which is a very special night for us as we come together to raise cancer awareness while honoring survivors as well as the loved ones we've lost. We hope that the community and SUU can help us support a cause that is much bigger than basketball."
POWER IN PINK
The Thunderbirds have partnered with Power in Pink to raise cancer awareness during Thursday night's matchup against Utah Tech. Signs will be passed out to those in attendance with a place to write in the name of someone who has battled with cancer. Fans will hold up these signs at the end of the first quarter in a display of support for those who have fought this disease.
In addition, the pink jerseys the Thunderbirds will wear during the game will be auctioned off, with portions of the proceeds going to Power in Pink to help those in need.
WAC STANDINGS
Southern Utah currently ranks seventh overall in the WAC with a 6-14 record and a 4-7 effort in conference play.
This week the Thunderbirds will face the Trailblazers and Lopes, who rank fourth and first overall respectively.
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|
Rk
|
.
|
W
|
L
|
CW
|
CL
|
WACpts
|
|
1
|
Grand Canyon
|
19
|
4
|
11
|
1
|
4.54
|
|
2
|
California Baptist
|
17
|
2
|
9
|
1
|
4.40
|
|
3
|
Stephen F. Austin
|
15
|
7
|
9
|
2
|
2.09
|
|
4
|
Utah Tech
|
13
|
9
|
7
|
4
|
-1.17
|
|
5
|
UT Arlington
|
10
|
11
|
6
|
5
|
-1.29
|
|
6
|
Abilene Christian
|
8
|
11
|
4
|
6
|
-4.43
|
|
7
|
Southern Utah
|
6
|
14
|
4
|
6
|
-5.10
|
|
8
|
Utah Valley
|
8
|
12
|
3
|
8
|
-4.29
|
|
9
|
Tarleton St.
|
6
|
14
|
3
|
8
|
-6.10
|
|
10
|
UT Rio Grande Valley
|
4
|
16
|
3
|
8
|
-7.12
|
|
11
|
Seattle U
|
1
|
19
|
1
|
10
|
-9.68
|
TOP T-BIRDS
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Daylani Ballena leads the Thunderbirds with 14.8 points and 3.8 assists each game.
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Ava Uhrich has continued to stuff the stat sheet during her impressive freshman campaign. Uhrich ranks fourth in the Western Athletic Conference in field goal percentage (.484), fifth in rebounds (7.6), and 10th overall in scoring per game (13.3 ppg).
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Samantha Johnston averages 9.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.0 steals per contest.
LAST TIME OUT
Southern Utah vs. UTRGV
First Half
The two squads matched each other shot for shot to begin the game, as the score was tied at 7-7 early in the first quarter. The Vaqueros scored five of the next seven points to go up 12-9 with 3:47 on the clock. Then, the Thunderbirds responded with an 11-0 sprint highlighted by a pair of three pointers by Samantha Johnston. Southern Utah led 20-15 at the end of the first quarter.
UTRGV came out strong in the second period, using a 6-3 stretch to trim the 'Birds lead to only three, 23-21. Three T-Birds registered a field goal to fuel an 8-0 run to go up 31-21 with 4:15 left in the half. The two squads traded buckets as the Thunderbirds took a 37-29 lead at the break.
Second Half
Daylani Ballena drilled a jumper to push the Thunderbirds advantage back to double digits, 39-29, at the beginning of the third quarter. The Vaqueros fought back, using a 16-3 run to retake a 45-42 lead with 4:36 on the clock. However, SUU closed the quarter on a 7-0 run to hold a 49-45 advantage heading into the fourth.
The Thunderbirds relied on a balanced attack as they extended their lead to 58-51 with 5:10 remaining in the fourth period. UTRGV mounted a 11-3 comeback that pushed the Vaqueros in front 62-61 with only 16 seconds remaining. Ballena was fouled on a shot attempt with five seconds on the clock and split a pair of free throws to tie the game at 62-62. The Vaqueros missed an attempt at the buzzer at the end of regulation, setting up an overtime period.
Overtime
Alexa Lord added a point from the charity stripe to give SUU a 63-62 advantage with 4:20 remaining. Ballena raced to the rim for a layup with just under three minutes to play to push SUU in front 65-62. After the Vaqueros drained a three pointer to tie the game, Ballena earned a trip to the foul line where she gave the Thunderbirds a 66-65 advantage with 1:40 to play.Â
Lord came up huge for the Thunderbirds defensively down the stretch, drawing an offensive foul on the Vaqueros to return the ball to SUU with 37 seconds on the clock. On the ensuing possession, Johnston was fouled and knocked down both shots at the charity stripe for SUU. The Vaqueros attempted a three pointer to tie the game in the waning seconds, but the Thunderbirds got the stop to earn a 68-65 road victory.
SCOUTING REPORT: UTAH TECH TRAILBLAZERS
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Utah Tech owns a 13-9 record with a 7-4 effort in Western Athletic Conference play.
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The Trailblazers score 74.7 points per game, while holding their opponents to 66.7 points.
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Maddie Warren paces the Trailblazers with 16.2 points per game.
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Breaunna Gillen leads the team in rebounds (7.1) and assists (5.2) each game.
SCOUTING REPORT: GRAND CANYON LOPES
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Grand Canyon is currently sitting atop the WAC standings with a 19-4 record and an 11-1 slate in conference play.
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The Lopes average 68.6 points per game, while limiting their opponents to only 54.4 points.
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Trinity San Antonio leads the team with 11.2 points each game.
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Olivia Lane corrals 6.2 rebounds per game for the Lopes.
HISTORY
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