OPENING TIP
After opening Western Athletic Conference play with a convincing 89-58 win over Chicago State on Thursday night, Utah Valley plays host to Kansas City on Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. MT in Lockhart Arena.

The Wolverines had five players reach double figures on Thursday to earn their third straight win. Josie Williams, who was named the WAC Player of the Week on Monday, led the team with 17. Jordan Holland (15), Megan Jensen (14), Alexis Cortez (13), and Maria Carvalho (11) were the others to score double figures with Carvalho also dishing out eight assists and Cortez coming away with five steals.

Utah Valley has built its win streak on the strength of its defense, limiting opponents to 52.3 points per game over the last three contests. Against Chicago State, the Wolverines allowed just nine makes from the field over the last three quarters and held CSU to 29.8% shooting.

ABOUT THE ROOS
Kansas City is playing its final season as members of the WAC and will move to the Summit League next summer. The Roos (8-7, 1-0) have won two straight and are led by senior Ericka Mattingly, the media pick for WAC Preseason Player of the Year. Mattingly is third in the league at 16.4 points per game and scored 22 in a 76-65 win at Seattle on Thursday. Among the Roos' eight wins this year is a 59-56 win over Missouri. UVU holds an 8-5 advantage all-time against Kansas City, but the Roos have won three straight, all of which came last season including in the WAC Tournament. 

COMING UP
The Wolverines wrap up their five game homestand next Saturday against Seattle University at 2 p.m. in the UCCU Center. 

WILLIAMS NAMED WAC PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Sophomore center was named the Western Athletic Conference Player of the Week on Monday, Dec. 30 after scoring a career-high 20 points in a 99-50 over Ottawa (AZ) on Dec. 28. Williams was 9-for-13 from the field in 15 minutes of play.