The eighth-seed Southern Utah University’s women’s basketball team will go up against the fifth-seed University of Texas at Arlington Mavericks in the first round of the Western Athletic Conference Tournament. The matchup will take place on Wednesday, March 13, at 1:00 p.m. MDT and can be streamed on ESPN+.
Southern Utah
The Thunderbirds snuck their way into WAC Vegas with a victory over the University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros on Saturday, March 9. They finished the regular season with an overall record of 8-21 and a 6-14 record in WAC play. This game will be a test for SUU, as they lost both games against UT Arlington this year.
During the regular season, Southern Utah placed seventh in scoring, sixth in field goal percentage, eighth in three-point percentage, 10th in free-throw percentage and fifth in total offensive rebounds in the WAC. The struggles from the three-point and free-throw lines cost them several losses in the regular season.
Defense was also a struggle for SUU in the regular season. They placed last in steals, 10th in allowed scoring and field goal percentage and ninth in allowed three-point percentage in the conference. The bright spots on defense were rebounds and blocks, where they placed third and second in the WAC, respectively. The Mavericks do not shoot a lot of threes and like to attack the paint, so blocks will be greatly needed for Southern Utah in this matchup.
Guard Daylani Ballena led the Thunderbirds’ scoring effort with 15.7 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game in the regular season. Forward Ava Uhrich is another great contributor, who averaged 13.2 points and 7.4 rebounds per game.
UT Arlington
The Mavericks finished the regular season with a 15-15 record and went 11-9 in conference play. UT Arlington had a proficient season on offense, placing fifth in scoring, fourth in field goal percentage and sixth in rebounds in the WAC. Despite placing second in three-point percentage, the Mavericks placed last in made three-pointers this season.
UT Arlington led the WAC in blocks this season but struggled in most of the other major defensive stats. They placed ninth in allowed scoring, eighth in allowed rebounds and tenth in allowed three-point percentage. Southern Utah shoots a high volume of three-pointers, so defending the three will be crucial for the Mavericks.
Guard Gia Adams led the offense for UT Arlington this season with 14.9 points, 3.3 assists and 1.6 steals per game. Forward Avery Brittingham contributed in all stats, averaging 12.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.3 blocks per game.
Author: Jacob McQueary
Photographer: Anden Garfield
Editor: Anden Garfield
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