Coming off two tough losses at home, the Southern Utah University women’s basketball team will host California Baptist University on Thursday, Feb. 6, at 6:30 p.m. Following this game, SUU will hit the road to take on Abilene Christian University on Saturday, Feb. 8, at 12 p.m.
Both games can be streamed on ESPN+.
Southern Utah
The Thunderbirds look to regain some momentum after dropping their last two games. SUU is 4-17 overall and 2-6 in the Western Athletic Conference.
In their last match against the Lancers, SUU came back from down 10 points to win on a last second layup from Daylani Ballena. This will also be the first matchup of the season between Southern Utah and Abilene Christian. These two teams split the season series last year.
With multiple players battling illnesses, Ballena has stepped up for the Thunderbirds. Ballena is averaging 14.7 points per game on 44.7% shooting from the field and 50% from three.
California Baptist
After winning the 2023-24 WAC Tournament, the Lancers have struggled. CBU is just 7-14 overall and 4-3 in conference play. California Baptist is coming off a win against ACU 87-84, in which Khloe Lemon scored 29 points on 10/13 from the field.
Lemon made her season debut on Jan. 4, gaining an average of 19.9 points per game and shooting 47.8% from three. This includes a career-high 39 points on 11/18 shooting from three against Utah Valley University.
Although Lemon has dominated, the defense has been a liability for the Lancers. CBU is giving up 72.6 points a game, ranking No. 7 in the WAC. If California Baptist wants to make another run in the WAC Tournament, the defense will need to see some improvements.
Abilene Christian
It has been a back-and-forth year for the Wildcats. ACU is 13-9 on the season, yet is just 2-5 in the WAC. When star guard Payton Hull plays Abilene Christian is 12-6, and only 1-3 in their four games without her.
In the absence of Hull, Bella Earle has been the next girl up. Earle is second on the team, averaging 14.3 points per game, and ranks No. 6 in the WAC. Earle also leads the team in rebounding, recording 7.3 rebounds per game.
Despite the poor conference record, Abilene Christian has one of the top offenses and defenses in the WAC. ACU ranks No. 3 in the conference, averaging 71.9 points per game, and No. 4 in the WAC giving up only 61.1 points a contest.
Southern Utah is 5-3 all-time against California Baptist and 1-2 all-time against Abilene Christian.
Author: Jack Paul
Photographer: Gannon Lovisa
Editor: Kayd Johanson
