CEDAR CITY, Utah -- Southern Utah women's basketball will host Fort Lewis in a preseason exhibition at the America First Event Center on Friday, Oct. 16 at 6:30 pm MT. This final "dress rehearsal" game will give the Thunderbirds a chance to see how the players added in the offseason fit into the team's game plan, while continuing the search for a new starting point guard.
"We're excited to get on the court. Fort Lewis is a well coached, talented team. This will be good preparation for us as we head into the regular season."
The Thunderbirds
The Thunderbirds have an incredible 10 players returning from last year's roster, including four of five starters. That consistency should serve the team well as they take the court together for the first time this season.
Southern Utah's offense averaged over 72 points per game in 2025-26 while shooting over .420 from the field. Two of Southern Utah's top three scorers from last season are still in Cedar City as Ava Uhrich and Brooklyn Fely return to the court after averaging 14.6 and 13.1 points per game, respectively. Uhrich also led the team with 9.9 rebounds per game, while Fely collected 8.4 boards per game, second-most among all Thunderbirds.
The Thunderbirds did lose their top scorer over the offseason in Sierra Chambers, and the upcoming exhibition will provide a golden opportunity for Southern Utah's other guards to prove themselves. Keep a close eye on Bella Hasan, Melicia Nelson and Amiah Lewis as they all compete to earn the starting role.
On defense, the Thunderbirds allowed just over 68 points per game last season, with opponents shooting exactly .400 from the floor. Kortney Doman returns to Southern Utah for her junior season after a stellar defensive campaign that saw her finish second on the team in minutes while averaging one steal and one block per game.
Scouting the Skyhawks
Fort Lewis has 10 players of their own returning from last year's roster, including their top two in minutes played. The Skyhawks averaged 69 points per game on offense last season and return their top two scorers, Makaya Porter and Katie Lamb. On defense, Fort Lewis allowed 66 points per game in 2025-26 and has seven players returning who averaged at least one steal per game.
Series History
The last time Southern Utah played Fort Lewis was Jan. 30, 1988, when the Thunderbirds were still a part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. The Thunderbirds and Skyhawks met a total of 27 times in the NAIA, with Southern Utah holding the series edge at 16 wins and 11 losses, including a 9-5 record in games played in Cedar City.
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Tickets
Single-game and season tickets for the upcoming Southern Utah Women's Basketball season are now available. For more information and to purchase tickets for SUU Women's Basketball, visit tbirdtickets.com.
