OPENING TIP

• Utah Valley University returns home to host two conference foes this week beginning on Thursday in an 11 a.m. MT matinee against Kansas City in Lockhart Arena. 
• The Wolverines (10-8, 4-1) are currently tied for the lead in the WAC standings with New Mexico State with UMKC (9-8, 3-1) is right behind. A Kansas City win on Thursday would put the Kangaroos into a tie with NM State, who is off on Thursday. 
• Jordan Holland is averaging 13.3 points and 6.2 rebounds for the Wolverines, while Eve Braslis is scoring 10.3 points and pulling down 6.3 boards. Alexis Cortez is also averaging 10.3 points per game while hauling in 4.8 rebounds and Maria Carvalho averages 4.5 assists per game. 
• Holland has upped her averages in WAC play to 14.4 points and 7.4 rebounds while Cortez is scoring 13.0 points per game while shooting 59 percent from the field and 52 percent from three in league games.
• Utah Valley has a 7-3 record all-time against Kansas City and has won three straight and six of the last seven in the series. The Wolverines are also 5-0 at home against UMKC all-time. The teams played a pair of close contests last season, with UVU winning by seven in Kansas City and by three at home. 
   

LAST TIME OUT
Utah Valley University saw its four-game winning streak and unblemished WAC record end as the Wolverines were held off, 58-52, at New Mexico State on Saturday.  Alexis Cortez led the way for Utah Valley with 14 points while Madison Grange and Jordan Holland both added 12. Grange's total matched her career high while Holland had a team-high eight rebounds. 
 

ABOUT THE KANGAROOS
Kansas City is currently in a stretch with wins in seven of its last nine games including a convincing 73-45 victory over Grand Canyon last week at home. Through four WAC games, UMKC is averaging nearly 80 points per game while holding opponents to 61.0 ppg. Junior Ericka Mattingly leads the 'Roos, and the WAC, with 19.4 points per game while getting to the free-throw line over seven times per contest. 
 

UP NEXT
The Wolverines host Chicago State on Saturday at 3 p.m. in the UCCU Center before hitting the road next week for just one contest, on Thursday at California Baptist.