After two big wins against Utah-based rivals, the Southern Utah University women’s basketball team will close out the homestand against two teams from down south. They’ll face the University of Texas at Arlington on Thursday, Jan. 29, at 6:30 p.m. before hosting Abilene Christian University on Saturday, Jan. 31, at 2 p.m.
Both games will be streamed live on ESPN+.
Southern Utah
After a rough stretch earlier this month, the Thunderbirds are back on track. They’ve won two games in a row, hold a 13-7 record and have a 5-3 conference standing. They sit at third place in the Western Athletic Conference behind ACU.
Like SUU’s men’s team, the women have a WAC Newcomer of the Week in Brooklyn Fely. She’s averaged 15.5 points and 9.5 rebounds over the last week and also earned WAC Player of the Week. Fely ranks top-four on the team in points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks and field goal percentage.
While Sierra Chambers and Ava Uhrich have continued to form a big three with Fely, the T-Birds have an emerging defensive star in Kortney Doman. The sophomore from Crane, Ore. leads the team in steals and blocks while ranking among their best shooters.
SUU has defeated UT Arlington already this year, but lost by 28 points to ACU on Jan. 17.
UT Arlington
The Mavericks sit at 8-11 this year with a 2-5 conference record. They’re No. 5 in the WAC and have the second-worst overall record.
Despite back-to-back wins against the two worst WAC teams two weeks ago, UTA has lost seven of their last 10 games. They scored less than 40 points in their last game against Tarleton State University.
Even with those struggles, the Mavericks have a clear defensive identity. Their perimeter defense is excellent, as they’ve held opponents to shooting 23.5% from three. They average more blocks and steals than the Thunderbirds despite having far lower rebounding numbers.
SUU is 1-7 against UTA all-time. That one win came in Arlington when the T-Birds emerged with a 58-55 triumph.
Abilene Christian
The Wildcats boast a WAC-leading 14-5 record, ranking No. 2 with a 5-1 conference record. They have the same number of conference losses as WAC No. 1 California Baptist University.
ACU is on a hot streak, with 10 wins in their last 12 games. However, they haven’t played since their match against SUU on Jan. 17, meaning there could be some rust that the Thunderbirds can take advantage of.
Abilene Christian’s claim to fame is their steals. They average 12.3 per game, commit eight fewer turnovers per game than opponents and score a third of their points off turnovers. ACU’s top four scorers are also its top four in steals.
Southern Utah is 2-4 against Abilene Christian all-time. Both of the Thunderbirds’ wins came in Cedar City.
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Author: Payson Davis
Photographer: SUU Athletics
Editor: Brooklyn Beard
