OREM, Utah — Utah Valley University and Grand Canyon University are scheduled to meet in a pivotal WAC series this weekend at the UCCU Center in Orem. The games are set to tip at 2 p.m. MT on both Friday and Saturday. The games were previously scheduled to be played March 5-6, but the series was moved up due to open dates on both teams' schedules.

The Wolverines (6-3, 4-2) have won four straight games after defeating Chicago State twice last weekend. The games came after a three-week layoff for UVU due to COVID-19 protocols. Josie Williams averaged a double-double in the two games, and on Monday was named the WAC Player of the Week for the second time this season and the third time in her career.

Utah Valley is currently tied for third in the WAC standings while the Lopes (13-3, 5-1) are a game ahead and in second place, with regular season finish a possible decisive factor in the WAC's NCAA Tournament bid.

Should the current WAC leader, undefeated California Baptist, win the regular season and the tournament, the league's regular season second place team would advance to the NCAA Tournament. CBU is in its third season of NCAA Division I play and not eligible for the tournament until the 2022-23 season.

ABOUT GRAND CANYON
Grand Canyon enters this weekend with four straight wins, all coming in WAC play. The Lopes own the No. 1 ranked turnover margin and turnovers forced (26.06) average in the nation, while also ranking second in both total steals and steals per game. Taylor Caldwell (50) and Laura Piera (48) rank seventh and 10th in the country, respectively, in total steals. Katie Scott leads all WAC players at 17.6 points per game. The Lopes and Wolverines split the season series last year, with each team winning on the other team's court. GCU leads the all-time series 11-5.

UP NEXT
The Wolverines are scheduled to host New Mexico State in what would be the final home games of the season. UVU is slated to travel UT Rio Grande Valley for games on Feb. 26-27.