After a disappointing first-round Western Athletic Conference Tournament loss, the Southern Utah University women’s basketball team was invited to play in the Women’s National Invitation Tournament. The WNIT features some of the best teams that don’t reach March Madness. The Thunderbirds will face Pepperdine University on Sunday, Mar. 22, at 3 p.m in Malibu, California.
This game can be streamed live on ESPN+.
These teams have only faced each other once. In 1988, Pepperdine defeated SUU 86-74.
SUU finished second in the conference with an overall record of 19-12. They had a strong 11-8 conference record and earned the No. 3 seed. They lost in the WAC Tournament to the No. 6-seeded University of Texas at Arlington, 70-65.
The Pepperdine Waves entered the West Coast Conference tournament this season with a 20-12 overall record and 10-8 against conference opponents. They were the No. 6 seed and fell to the No. 7 seed, the University of San Francisco, 86-69.
Southern Utah
The Thunderbirds, despite an incredible season that included a 13-1 home record, ended the season on a four-game losing skid.
Southern Utah’s offense was nothing short of impressive. They average 72 points per game, shooting 42% from the field and 33% from three.
Rebounding was also a major strength for the Thunderbirds this season. They average 42 boards per game, ranking No. 19 among all teams and No. 2 among WNIT teams.
Juniors Ava Uhrich and Brooklyn Fely both surpassed 10 double-doubles on the season. They both have enough rebounds to place in the top 10 single-season rebound program history, with Uhrich placing second.
Pepperdine
The Waves are coming off a WNIT victory against the University of California, Davis, to advance to play the Thunderbirds. A buzzer-beating triple by junior Tajia Sta. Maria sealed the win for Pepperdine.
Pepperdine has a large offensive presence on the court, averaging 71 points a game as well as shooting an impressive 44% from the field and 34% from beyond the arc.
Sophomore Elli Guiney is the team’s leading scorer. She scores 15 points a game and shoots 42% from three-point range.
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Author: Andrew Streeter
Photographer: SUU Athletics
Editor: Payson Davis
