After finishing 2-11 in non-conference play, the Southern Utah University women’s basketball team will open Western Athletic Conference play against Grand Canyon University on Saturday, Jan. 4, at 2 p.m. This game can be streamed live on ESPN+ or viewed in the America First Event Center.
Grand Canyon
GCU is on a 10-game winning streak, after starting their season 2-2. The Lopes are looking hot coming into this matchup against the Thunderbirds. With that being said, both of the Lopes two losses this year came on the road, so a victory for the Thunderbirds is not inconceivable.
Grand Canyon has consistently played strong, efficient offense matched with effective defense. GCU is holding opponents to just 58.1 points per game, ranking No. 4 in the WAC.
SUU will have their hands full when guarding GCU. The Lopes are shooting 49.5% from the field and have five girls who average more than 50%. They have five girls who average 10 or more points per game, with senior guard Alyssa Durazo-Frescas leading the way. Durazo-Frescas averages 15.3 points per game and is shooting 47.6% from three.
Southern Utah
It has been a season to forget so far for the Thunderbirds. SUU enters WAC play 2-11 and is winless against Division I opponents. Both of Southern Utah’s wins have come at home. In those two wins, SUU held their opponents to 43.5 points per game.
Southern Utah ranks towards the bottom of the pack in most offensive and defensive stats in the WAC. SUU ranks last in opponent’s three-point percentage, letting opponents shoot 36.8% from three.
The Thunderbirds have just one girl averaging more than 10 points a game. Sophomore standout Ava Uhrich has picked things up over the last two games. Uhrich put up a career-high 28 points against Park Gilbert University, followed by 17 points against Cal Poly.
If Southern Utah wants to pull off the upset against Grand Canyon, Uhrich will need to continue her dominance.
SUU is 7-6 all-time against GCU.
Author: Jack Paul
Photographer: SUU Athletics
Copy Editor:Isaac Allen
