CEDAR CITY, Utah - The Southern Utah University women's basketball team will wrap up conference play with a pair of home games this week. First up, the Thunderbirds host Stephen F. Austin on Thursday, Mar. 7 at 6:30 p.m. MT. Then, SUU will face UTRGV on Senior Day on Saturday, Mar. 9 at 2 p.m. MT.

GAME INFO

Southern Utah vs. Stephen F. Austin

    Date: Thursday, Mar. 7

    Tip-off: 6:30 p.m. MT

    Live Stream | Live Stats

Southern Utah vs. UTRGV

    Date: Saturday, Mar. 9

    Tip-off: 2 p.m. MT

    Live Stream | Live Stats

HEAD COACH TRACY MASON SAYS

"These two games are extremely important. We have to be prepared, motivated and hungry. I hope this community can come out and support our two seniors this Saturday. Meg and Lex have been such a huge part of this program."

SENIOR DAY

The Thunderbirds will be honoring Megan Smith and Alexa Lord on Senior Day on Saturday, Mar. 9.

Smith, a native of Emery, Utah, joined the Thunderbirds ahead of the 2022-23 season after spending three years at Utah Valley. Last season Smith ranked third on the team in scoring with 11.3 points per game and led the team in field-goal percentage, knocking down 56.1 percent of her shot attempts.

This season, Smith averaged a team-high 16.2 points and 1.7 blocks per game before suffering a season ending injury. Smith set a new career-high with a 30 point outing against Alaska Fairbanks.

Lord is from Richfield, Utah, and is finishing up her fifth season as a member of the Thunderbirds. Lord recorded a career-high with 30 points against La Sierra last year. This season, she is currently averaging a career-best 6.0 points and 5.3 rebounds per game.

Both Smith and Lord were instrumental in helping the Thunderbirds win the Western Athletic Conference regular season and tournament titles last season, which earned SUU its first ever trip to the NCAA Tournament.

Be sure to come out and support these players in their final home game at SUU.

CONFERENCE STANDINGS

Southern Utah currently ranks eighth overall in the Western Athletic Conference with a 7-20 record and a 5-13 effort in conference play.

This week the Thunderbirds will face the Ladyjacks and Vaqueros, who rank third and ninth overall in the WAC respectively.

WAC STANDINGS (MAR. 5, 2024)

TOP T-BIRDS

• Daylani Ballena powers the 'Birds attack with 15.4 points and 3.6 assists each game.

• Ava Uhrich pours in 13.0 points and a team-high 7.2 rebounds per contest.

• Samantha Johnston contributes 9.9 points, 3.3 assists, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.0 steals a game for SUU.

LAST TIME OUT

Southern Utah vs. Tarleton State

First Half

Southern Utah came out strong to start the game. Ava Uhrich opened the scoring for the Thunderbirds, drilling a three pointer at the top of the key with 8:50 on the clock. Shiho Isono came up with a steal on the following play and connected on a fast break layup to give SUU a 5-0 lead. Tarleton State fired off a 13-2 run to jump in front 13-7 midway through the quarter. Southern Utah responded, closing the period with a 13-6 stretch to take a 20-19 advantage at the end of the first.

The two squads matched each other basket for basket as the score was tied at 26-26 with 6:10 on the clock. The Texans then used an 11-6 burst to go up 37-32, with Daylani Ballena and Uhrich leading the 'Birds' offensive effort with nine points each at the break.

Second Half

Southern Utah relied on a balanced attack in the third quarter, with six T-Birds getting in the scoring column. The Texans outscored the Thunderbirds 19-14 in the frame to jump in front 56-46 approaching the final period of play.

After Tarleton State extended its lead to 64-50, Southern Utah scored eight of the next 10 points to get within eight, 66-58, with 2:10 on the clock. However, the Texans were able to hold on to earn a 69-63 victory.

SCOUTING REPORT: STEPHEN F. AUSTIN LADYJACKS

• The Ladyjacks have compiled a 19-10 record with a 13-5 effort in Western Athletic Conference play.

• SFA scores 76.6 points per game, while limiting its opponents to 68.6 points.

• Kurstyn Harden leads the team with 16.8 points and 7.4 rebounds a game.

SCOUTING REPORT: UTRGV VAQUEROS

• The Vaqueros own a 6-21 record with a 5-13 mark in WAC play.

• UTRGV averages 60.0 points each contest, while its opponents score 70.8 points.

• Kade Hackerott adds 11.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 2.8 assists to lead the Vaqueros.

HISTORY

• The Thunderbirds and Ladyjacks are tied 1-1 in the all-time series.

• Southern Utah owns a perfect 6-0 record against UTRGV all-time.

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