CEDAR CITY, Utah - With less than two weeks until the beginning of Western Athletic Conference competition, the 7-3 Southern Utah women's basketball team will conclude its preseason at a holiday tournament hosted by Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles.

They'll face the 1-11 Omaha Mavericks on Saturday, Dec. 20 at 2:00 p.m. before battling the 5-4 Loyola Marymount Lions on Sunday, Dec. 21 at 3:30 p.m.

Head Coach Tracy Mason said:

"Conference play is just around the corner, so this tournament is an important opportunity for us. Our goal this weekend is to play two clean games and build our momentum heading into our first WAC game against Utah Tech."

Saturday Game Details

Who: Southern Utah (7-3) vs Omaha (1-11)

When: Saturday, December 20, at 2:00 p.m.

Where: Gersten Pavilion, Los Angeles, California

Live Stats: HERE

Sunday Game Details

Who: Southern Utah (7-3) vs Loyola Marymount (5-4)

When: Sunday, December 21, at 3:30 p.m.

Where: Gersten Pavilion, Los Angeles, California

Watch: ESPN+

Live Stats: HERE

Matchup History

• The Saturday game will mark the first time the Thunderbirds and Omaha Mavericks have faced each other.
• With their most recent game occurring over three decades ago, SUU stands at an even 3-3 all-time against the LMU Lions.

The Thunderbirds

Coming off back-to-back losses against the top two teams in the Mountain West Conference, Southern Utah is hungry to get back on track. Tied with Utah Valley for first place in the WAC, the Thunderbirds have exceeded expectations in preseason play.

Proficient scoring has been a major factor for SUU, with the team averaging 79.5 points per game and shooting 42.9% from the field. They also boast the most accurate three-point shooting in the WAC, sinking 34.9% of their shots from deep.

This sharpshooting even extends to Southern Utah's success at the charity stripe. Sophomore star Sierra Chambers has led the Thunderbirds to an eighth-place spot on the national leaderboard for free throws made per game. She has the longest streak in the country with 40 made free throws in a row, and only two NCAA players have attempted as many foul shots as Chambers with a higher success rate.

The impact of the star point guard during active play is just as noticeable. Chambers leads SUU in scoring with 15.8 points per game, adding a team-high average of 3.7 assists.

In addition to their blistering scoring attack, the Thunderbirds have earned a spot as one of 13 teams in the nation with more than 45 rebounds per game. Led by junior Ava Uhrich with 9.4 rebounds per game, Southern Utah outrebounds its opponents by a margin of 11.8.

Scouting Report

Omaha Mavericks

The Mavericks have struggled to find their stride in a 1-11 start to the 2025-2026 campaign. Omaha has lost seven of its games by 25 or more points and is allowing an average of 80.9 points per game.

The defensive struggles have been compounded by a lack of offense. The Mavericks average only 53 points per game, and they surrender an average of 22.2 turnovers.

While their team has yet to find a groove, individual Omaha players have pieced together strong performances to start the year. Graduate student Sarai Estupiñan rakes in 14.3 points per game, and freshman standout Avril Smith dominates the boards with 10.3 rebounds per game.

Loyola Marymount Lions

The Lions have reached a 5-4 record primarily due to their lockdown defense, which has been excellent this season. LMU is 3-1 in their last four Division I games, so Southern Utah will look to disrupt their hot streak.

Holding opponents to an outstandingly low 55.8 points per game, Loyola Marymount will be pitted against a potent Thunderbirds offense on Sunday. The Lions score 18 points off turnovers per game, so they will be on the prowl for opponent mistakes all weekend.

Graduate student Jess Lawson and junior Maya Hernandez both average double-digit scoring despite a relatively quiet team offense. Lawson leads the team in rebounds with an average of 8.1 and steals with two per game.

Tickets

Season tickets, mini packages, and single-game tickets are now available! Get yours today by visiting tbirdtickets.com.

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