CEDAR CITY, Utah - The Southern Utah University women's basketball team has earned the eighth seed in the 2024 Western Athletic Conference Women's Basketball Tournament at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, where the Thunderbirds will take on the fifth seeded UT Arlington Lady Mavs on Wednesday, Mar. 13 at 1 p.m. MT.
HEAD COACH TRACY MASON SAYS
"I'm excited for the opportunity to compete in the WAC tourney. This is a new season, and it's all about heart, desire and who wants to keep playing."
GAME INFO
Southern Utah vs. UT Arlington
   Date: Wednesday, Mar. 13
   Tip-off: 1 p.m. MT
   Live Stream | Live Stats
2024 HERCULES TIRES WAC WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
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Wednesday, March 13 - First Round
No. 8 Southern Utah vs. No. 5 UT Arlington - 12 p.m. PT | Live Stats | ESPN+
No. 7 Tarleton State vs. No. 6 Abilene Christian - 2:30 p.m. PT | Live Stats | ESPN+
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Thursday, March 14 - Quarterfinals
Game 1 winner vs. No. 4 Utah Tech - 12 p.m. PT | Live Stats | ESPN+
Game 2 winner vs. No. 3 Stephen F. Austin - 2:30 p.m. PT | Live Stats | ESPN+
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Friday, March 15 - Semifinals
Game 3 winner vs. No. 1 California Baptist - 12 p.m. PT | Live Stats | ESPN+
Game 4 winner vs. No. 2 Grand Canyon - 2:30 p.m. PT | Live Stats | ESPN+
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Saturday, March 16 - Championship
Game 5 winner vs. Game 6 winner - 10:30 a.m. PT | Live Stats | ESPNU
TOP T-BIRDS
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Daylani Ballena leads the Thunderbirds and ranks fifth in the WAC in scoring (15.7 ppg) and eighth in assists (3.7) per game.
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Ava Uhrich scores 13.2 points per game to go along with a team-high 7.4 rebounds per game.
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Samantha Johnston contributes 10.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.0 blocks per game.
LAST TIME OUT
Southern Utah vs. UTRGV
First Half
The two teams traded baskets to start the game as the score was tied at 5-5 with 7:23 on the clock. After the Vaqueros scored the next five points to go up 10-5, Shiho Isono sparked a 10-0 burst to push SUU ahead 15-10 at the end of the first.
UTRGV used an 8-3 run to tie the game at 18 points apiece with 7:28 remaining in the second period. Four T-Birds added a bucket as Southern Utah outscored the Vaqueros 10-9 the rest of the way to take a 28-27 lead at the break.
Second Half
Southern Utah came out hot to begin the second half, scoring six consecutive points to go up 34-27 with 7:20 left in the third quarter. The Vaqueros earned two trips to the foul line on the following possessions, connecting on three free throws to get within four, 34-30. Then, Samantha Johnston knocked down a pair of three pointers to spark an 8-3 run to give SUU a 42-33 advantage midway through the period. Ava Uhrich poured in seven of the next nine points for the Thunderbirds as the team went up by double digits, 51-40, at the 1:04 mark. Southern Utah led 51-44 heading into the final period of play.
The Thunderbirds relied on a balanced attack in the fourth quarter, with Uhrich and Ballena each adding four points as Southern Utah outscored the Vaqueros 14-8 in the period to claim a decisive 65-52 victory over UTRGV.
SCOUTING REPORT: UT ARLINGTON LADY MAVS
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UT Arlington secured the fifth seed in the WAC Tournament after finishing the regular season with a 15-15 overall record and a 11-9 effort in conference play.
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The Lady Mavs average 70.0 points per game, while their opponents score 72.4 points.
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Gia Adams powers the offense for UT Arlington with 14.9 points each game, while Avery Brittingham leads the team in rebounds (8.1) and assists (3.9).
HISTORY
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