CEDAR CITY, Utah - After back-to-back road wins over in-state rivals last week, the Southern Utah University women's basketball team will return home to rematch a strong 16-9 Abilene Christian University team on Wednesday, Feb. 19 in the America First Event Center.
Head Coach Tracy Mason Said:
"Abilene Christian is a strong team on both sides of the ball. There are quite a few things from our first matchup that I believe we can improve on. We are excited to be playing at home these next three games and need to take advantage of that opportunity."
Game Details
Who: Southern Utah University (6-19, 4-8 WAC) vs Abilene Christian University (16-9, 5-5 WAC)
When: Wednesday, February 19 at 6:30 p.m.
Where: America First Event Center
Watch: ESPN+
Live Stats: HERE
Matchup History
The Thunderbirds
Last week, SUU won back-to-back games for the first time this season, making a 10-point comeback over Utah Tech University on Thursday before fending off Utah Valley University with an impressive 72-point performance. These road victories boosted the Thunderbirds to a 4-8 record in the Western Athletic Conference, meaning they sit squarely in the seventh conference spot. If Southern Utah can maintain this positioning, they can forego the opening round play-in game in St. George and jump straight into the WAC Tournament.
To secure this opportunity, SUU must continue leaning into strengths under the glass and in the passing game. They currently rank No. 4 in both blocked shots and assists and No. 5 in offensive and defensive rebounds per game. Since starting conference play, the Thunderbirds have also been sound defensively, ranking third in field goal percentage defense and second against the three.
Combining for 48 points against UVU, sophomore Ava Uhrich and graduate student Daylani Ballena have proven to be a powerful scoring duo. Both an interior and perimeter threat at the forward position, Uhrich averages 12 points per conference game. From the guard spot, Ballena averages 12.7 points per conference game and captains the passing attack with 3.3 assists per game since the start of WAC play.
Forward Lexi Bull has emerged as a dominant force under the hoop, ranking fourth in rebounding with eight boards per conference game. In addition, guard Samantha Johnston has jumped to No. 5 in the WAC for three-pointers made per game.
Scouting Report
Abilene Christian University Wildcats
ACU rides a three-game winning streak into their second showdown with SUU, currently holding a 5-5 conference record and a 16-9 record overall. In their last game, the Wildcats downed Seattle U 84-62.
Ranking third in the WAC in both offense and defense, Abilene Christian scores 73 PPG while holding opponents to an average of only 61. The Wildcats shoot an impressive 44% from the field and hold the second-best rebounding margin in the conference. ACU averages 11.2 steals per game, so Southern Utah must handle the ball efficiently if they want to slow them down.
One of the most well-rounded threats in the WAC, senior guard Bella Earle scored 23 points in her last battle with the Thunderbirds. She ranks fifth in the conference in scoring with 14.8 PPG, fourth in rebounding with 7.3 boards per game and fifth in assists with 4.1 per game.
Sophomore center Meredith Mayes complements Earle on the interior, racking up 7.3 rebounds per game and ranking second in the WAC in blocked shots.
Tickets
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