Still seeking their first win in conference play, the Southern Utah University women’s basketball team will take on Tarleton State University on Thursday, Jan. 9, at 6 p.m. Following this game, Southern Utah will stay in Texas to take on the University of Texas at Arlington on Saturday, Jan. 11, at 1 p.m.
Both games can be streamed on ESPN+.
Southern Utah
The Thunderbirds have been struggling, entering this week 2-12 overall and 0-1 in the Western Athletic Conference. One of the biggest struggles for SUU has been the offense. Southern Utah averages just 61.9 points per game, while giving up 70.8 points per game. Both those numbers rank No. 7 in the WAC.
Despite the season struggles, forward Ava Uhrich has been solid. The sophomore from Burlingame, California leads the team in scoring 10.4 points per game and 50.8% shooting from the field.
Transfer forward Lexi Bull is playing some of her best basketball of late. Bull, a transfer from Tarleton State, scored a season-high 12 points against Grand Canyon University.
Tarleton State
The Texans coming into this matchup are 9-7 on the year and 0-1 in the WAC. Tarleton State is 4-1 in their last five games and 6-1 at home on the season. One reason for the strong start to the season is the defense. TSU ranks first in conference in opponent points per game, giving up just 56.5 points.
Defensively, Tarleton State has four different girls that have recorded 10 or more steals on the year. Senior guard Arieona Rosborough leads the team with 22 steals, followed by Miannah Little with 17.
Although the Texans don’t score well on offense, Rosborough leads the team averaging 12.8 points per game. One reason for their struggles on offense is poor shooting and turnovers. Tarleton State shoots just 26.9% from three as a team and commits 17.9 turnovers a game.
UT Arlington
After starting the season slow, UTA is 4-1 in their last five games and 6-6 on the year. One of the biggest reasons for their success as of late is their offense. In their last five games, the Mavericks are averaging 78.8 points per game.
One big factor in the offensive surge UTA has been on is Koi Love. The forward from Orlando, Florida is coming off her best game of the year against Tarleton State, in which she scored 29 points on 11/20 shooting from the field. Paired with fifth-year forward Avery Brittingham, these two girls have been a dominant force down low.
Southern Utah is 2-2 all-time against Tarleton State and is 0-5 against UT Arlington.
Author: Jack Paul
Photographer: SUU Athletics
Copy Editor: Kayd Johanson