The Southern Utah University women’s basketball team will continue their difficult non-conference schedule as they travel to face Fresno State University women’s basketball on Wednesday, Nov. 13, at 7 p.m. The Thunderbirds will then host the University of Idaho on Saturday, Nov. 16, at 2 p.m.
Both games can be streamed on ESPN+.
Fresno State
The Bulldogs enter this game 2-1 overall on the season. Fresno State dropped their game against Santa Clara University 67-61 but bounced back against the University of California Riverside 63-53 to improve to 2-1.
FSU is holding their opponents to 55.3 points per game on just 36.6% shooting from the field. The Bulldogs also do a great job at forcing turnovers. In their first three games, FSU has forced an average of 18.3 turnovers per game while scoring 15.7 points per game off those turnovers.
Mia Jacobs leads the team in scoring averaging 21.3 points per game on 45.7% shooting from the field. Along with that, Jacobs is averaging 11.7 rebounds a game.
Idaho
The Vandals come into this week 0-2 after facing two tough opponents: Brigham Young University and Washington State University. Idaho kept it close with both teams but couldn’t come away with either of the games on the road.
One thing that Idaho does great is control the boards. The Vandals are averaging 46.5 rebounds per game, while allowing their opponents to grab just 37.5 boards per contest. One concern though has been the turnovers. Idaho is averaging 20 turnovers per game, 6.5 more than last year.
Rosie Schweizer has been the Vandals best player. Schweizer is averaging 16.5 points per game on 57.1% shooting from the field and 60% from three. Jennifer Aadland has been the Vandals best rebounder. The forward from Laramie, Wyoming is averaging 14.5 rebounds per game.
Southern Utah
The Thunderbirds are off to a slow start with a tough non-conference schedule. SUU is 0-2 and has lost both games by an average of 36 points. Southern Utah will play Fresno State on the road but will host Idaho.
Like Idaho, Southern Utah struggles with taking care of the ball. The Thunderbirds average 21 turnovers per game while only forcing 10 turnovers per game. If SUU wants to turn things around, they need to take better care of the ball.
Daylani Ballena is averaging 12 points per game while also leading the team with seven assists. Sydney Gandy has hit a team-high four three pointers for the Thunderbirds. Freshman Sierra Chambers has been great off the bench. Chambers is second on the team in scoring, averaging 9.5 points per game.
Southern Utah is 1-1 all-time against Fresno State and 5-20 all-time against Idaho.
Author: Jack Paul
Photographer: Gannon Lovisa
Editor: SUU News Copy Editor
