CEDAR CITY, Utah - The Southern Utah University women's basketball team will look to complete the sweep of in-state rivals Utah Tech University and Utah Valley University at home this week. In a Thursday, Feb. 27 "red-out" game sponsored by State Bank of Southern Utah, the Thunderbirds will take on the Trailblazers. The following showdown with the Wolverines on March 1 will be a senior night "black-out."
Head Coach Tracy Mason Said:
"I'm excited for another rivalry week, and we're looking forward to playing this round at home. If we can handle our business and battle like we did last time, we'll put ourselves in a great position to finish out the season."
Game One Details
Who: Southern Utah University (7-19, 5-8 WAC) vs Utah Tech University (5-20, 1-10 WAC)
When: Thursday, February 27 at 6:30 p.m.
Where: America First Event Center, Cedar City, Utah
Watch: ESPN+
Live Stats: HERE
Game Two Details (SENIOR NIGHT)
Who: Southern Utah University (7-19, 5-8 WAC) vs Utah Valley University (15-10, 7-6 WAC)
When: Saturday, March 1 at 6:30 p.m.
Where: America First Event Center, Cedar City, Utah
Watch: ESPN+
Live Stats: HERE
Matchup History
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After pulling off a fourth-quarter comeback for the 69-66 win against them earlier this month, Southern Utah holds a 12-7 all-time record when facing the Trailblazers.
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With a 20-9 record against the Wolverines, SUU currently rides a five-game winning streak against UVU. In their Orem matchup this season, Thunderbirds Ava Uhrich and Daylani Ballena combined for 48 points.
The Thunderbirds
SUU has consistently been strong in the paint and passing game, ranking fourth in the Western Athletic Conference in both assists and blocked shots and fifth in both offensive and defensive rebounds. While Southern Utah struggled in the preseason, they have been one of the stronger defensive teams since starting conference play. In WAC games, the Thunderbirds are No. 2 in field goal percentage defense and No. 1 against the three.
Averaging 13.2 points per conference game, Ballena leads the Thunderbird scoring attack. In the past three games, which include their showdowns with Utah Tech and Utah Valley, she's scored 19.3 PPG. Lexi Bull leads the team underneath the glass, standing third in the WAC in rebounding since the start of conference play and racking up 8.5 rebounds per WAC game.
Scouting Report
Utah Tech University Trailblazers
The 5-20 Trailblazers are only 1-10 since beginning conference play, with their WAC win coming in an 80-70 shootout against the 3-22 Seattle University Redhawks. While Utah Tech shoots an impressive 31.2% from outside the three-point line and leads the conference in three-point field goals with 9.2, Southern Utah will look to take advantage of the worst defense in the WAC, allowing 74.8 PPG to opposing teams.
Leading the WAC in assists per game with 6.5 and her team in scoring, Chardonnay Hartley averages 10.6 PPG. Emily Isaacson has proven herself as Utah Tech's primary perimeter threat, shooting 41.7% from three and ranking second in the conference in three-pointers made.
Utah Valley University Wolverines
Snapping a four-game losing streak, the 15-10 Wolverines have won their last two games to jump to a 7-6 WAC record. UVU's scoring offense averages 66.4 PPG, and their defense has been dominant, racking in a WAC-leading 14.2 steals per game and blocking the second-most shots in the conference.
Utah Valley's Danja Stafford leads the WAC in rebounding with 9.3 boards per game. Tahlia White leads the scoring with 12 PPG, also averaging an impressive 2.5 steals per game defensively.
Tickets
Season tickets, mini packages, and single-game tickets are now available! Get yours today by visiting tbirdtickets.com
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