OPENING TIP
Utah Valley begins a stretch of three games in five days — in three different cities — starting Thursday at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in Edinburg, Texas. The game tips at 7 p.m. CT/6 p.m. MT and can be seen live on ESPN+. On Saturday, the Wolverines will play at Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas with a tip time of 2 p.m. CT/1 p.m. MT. The busy weekend wraps up on Monday afternoon at 2 p.m. MT at home against Seattle U in a game that was originally scheduled for Jan. 13.
After not playing a game for two weeks due to COVID postponements, UVU is currently in a stretch of 10 games in five days. After Saturday's game, UVU is slated to play four straight at home after playing nine of their previous 10 contests on the road.
Josie Williams recorded her 10th double-double of the season in Monday's win over Dixie State, which ties her for seventh on the school's single-season list. Williams is second in the WAC in scoring at 16.6 per game while leading the league with 11.9 rebounds per game, which also ranks seventh in the country. Her 10 double-doubles is tied for ninth among all Division I players.
LAST TIME OUT
Utah Valley survived a furious fourth-quarter rally by Dixie State to pick up a much-needed win in WAC play, 68-65, on Monday afternoon in Burns Arena. It was the first Old Hammer Rivalry game, and the first game at the NCAA Division I level, between the former junior college rivals.
Josie Williams notched her 10th double-double with 18 points and 14 rebounds while Maria Carvalho finished with 17 points and eight rebounds and Madison Grange added 13 points and five assists as the Wolverines (6-9, 1-3) snapped their six-game losing streak and earned their first conference win. UVU led 62-45 with just over eight minutes left in the game before the Trailblazers (6-10, 2-3) came all the way back with 17 straight points over the next six minutes to tie it. Williams scored five points over the final two minutes including two free throws with two seconds to go to give the Wolverines a three point lead.
ABOUT THE OPPOSITION
UTRGV (6-9 overall) owns WAC wins over Grand Canyon and Chicago State and is 2-1 in conference so far. Sara Bershers leads the team with 13.9 points per game while Taylor Muff is scoring 12.7 points and pulling down 7.0 rebounds. UVU is 19-15 all-time against UTRGV and has won six straight, including both games in Edinburg last season.
Lamar is 7-7 overall and 2-1 in conference and hosts Dixie State on Thursday. The Cardinals have defeated Sam Houston and Chicago State in WAC play. Sabrina Dean (13.6) and Akasha Davis (13.0) lead the way offensively for Lamar. It's the first meeting between UVU and Lamar since a non-conference game in 2010.
COMING UP
The Wolverines host Seattle U on Monday afternoon at 2 p.m. in a rescheduled contest from a week ago. UVU will also host Chicago State next Thursday, Jan. 27.
