LAS VEGAS, Nev. — After a 61-43 victory over Chicago State in Wednesday's WAC Tournament Quarterfinal, No. 2 seed Utah Valley University is set to face No. 3 seed Grand Canyon University in Friday's second of two semfinals. Tip is set for 2 p.m. PT/3 p.m. MT from the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. The game can be seen live on ESPN+ via subscription in the U.S. and internationally on the WAC Digital Network.
Friday's winner advances to Saturday's championship game to face either top seed and unbeaten California Baptist or New Mexico State. Both the Wolverines (13-5) and Lopes (17-6) are seeking their first appearance in the tournament final. The two teams have met just once prior in the WAC Tournament, with GCU winning 72-56 in the opening round in 2018. UVU was the No. 6 seed against the No. 3 Lopes that season.
Utah Valley enters Friday's game as winners of six straight while Grand Canyon has won three in a row.
WHAT'S ON THE LINE
By the time Friday's game tips off, both UVU could know whether a Wolverine win assures the program of its first NCAA Tournament berth. With California Baptist not yet eligible for the NCAA Tournament, UVU would be the WAC's representative should CBU win this week's tournament. So, if the Lancers defeat New Mexico State in Friday's 11 a.m. MT semifinal, a Utah Valley win on Friday would clinch the berth. The Wolverines received that distinction by finishing the WAC regular season in second place. UVU was 10-4 in the WAC regular season and GCU finished 8-4, missing out on two games against Chicago State due to COVID-19 cancelations. That gave the Wolverine the percentage points needed to be the No. 2 seed. Grand Canyon will need to win the tournament to receive its first berth into the NCAA Tournament.
BY THE NUMBERS
The Wolverines lead the WAC defensively, surrendering an average of just 57.3 points per game while the Lopes average 75.1ppg, second in the WAC. UVU also leads the conference in rebound margin (+5.3) and ranks second free throw percentage (71.1) and assists (17.2). Individually,
Josie Williams ranks fifth in points per game (13.9), second in rebounds per game (8.1), third in field goal percentage (53.0) and is first in blocks (1.9).
ABOUT THE LOPES
Under first year head coach Molly Miller, the Lopes lead the WAC and rank among the nation's leaders at over 23 turnovers forced per game. Freshman Katie Scott ranks second in the league in scoring (16.1ppg) and field goal percentage (54.1%) and leads the conference at 50% from three. She was first-team All-WAC, the WAC Freshman and the WAC Newcomer of the Year. The Lopes have five players averaging 9.4 points per game or higher.
