Coming off their first conference win of the year, the Southern Utah University women’s basketball team will first travel to face Grand Canyon University on Thursday, Jan. 23, at 6 p.m. Following this game, Southern Utah will take on the reigning Western Athletic Conference champions, California Baptist University, on Saturday, Jan. 25, at 2 p.m.
Both games can be streamed on ESPN+.
Southern Utah
The Thunderbirds are 3-14 on the season and are 1-3 in the WAC. In their last meeting against Grand Canyon on Jan. 4, Southern Utah struggled, losing 75-57. In the loss, Southern Utah shot just 39.7% from the field and committed 25 turnovers.
Southern Utah’s struggles have mainly come from the offensive side of the ball. As a team, SUU ranks No. 8 in the WAC in scoring offense, putting up just 60.8 points per game.
The Thunderbirds also struggle to take care of the ball. SUU also ranks No. 8 in the conference, averaging 17.24 turnovers per game.’
Sophomore forward Ava Uhrich is the only girl on SUU to average more than 10 points per game. In her last six games, Uhirch has averaged 13.5 points a game on 53.8% shooting from the field.
Grand Canyon
All the Lopes do is win. Grand Canyon is on a 15-game winning streak and is 17-2 on the season. Their 4-0 record in conference play puts GCU on top in the WAC. In their four conference games so far, the Lopes have a +12 point differential.
Offensively, nobody is better than GCU in the WAC. The Lopes average 77.3 points per game on 48.7% shooting from the field and 35.7% from three as a team.
Graduate student Laura Erikstrup has been the best offensive piece for the Lopes. The forward from Portland, Oregon, leads the team, averaging 15.8 points per game as well as four double-doubles.
California Baptist
After winning the WAC tournament a season ago, California Baptist has struggled out of the gates. CBU is just 6-12 on the year but is 3-1 in conference play. Despite the early struggles, the Lancers are 4-1 in their last five games.
Part of the struggles early on for CBU was the defense. The Lancers ranked second to last in the WAC, giving up 73.2 points per game. One major reason for that is their lack of ability to rebound. California Baptist allows their opponents to grab 40.3 rebounds per game.
Offensively, guard Khloe Lemon has been dominant since making her season debut on Jan. 4. Lemon was named WAC Player of the Week after tying the WAC record for most three-point field goals made in a game with 11.
Southern Utah is 7-7 all-time against Grand Canyon and 4-3 all-time against California Baptist.
Author: Jack Paul
Photographer: SUU Athletics
Editor: Chevy Blackburn
