LAST TIME OUT
Utah Valley University returns home to host Utah Tech University on Saturday afternoon in WAC play in the Old Hammer Rivalry between the in-state rivals. Tip is set for 2 p.m. MT from the UCCU Center with the game airing on ESPN+.
Kaylee Byon leads the Wolverines (3-3) with an average of 8.8 points per game with Ally Criddle right behind her at 8.2ppg and Liana Kaitu'u is scoring 7.8 per contest. Tessa Chaney, who is coming off a career-high 10 rebounds at Seattle U on Wednesday, leads UVU with an average of 6.2 rebounds per game.
LAST TIME OUT
The Wolverines struggled from the field in dropping their opening confernce game, 58-48 at Seattle U on Wednesday. Prior to the, UVU had won its last two including a road win at Idaho last Saturday.
Kylee Mabry and Kaitu'u had season highs of 12 and 11 points, respectively, while Criddle finished with seven points, six rebounds and four assists, in addition to Chaney's career high on the glass.
ABOUT THE OPPOSITION
Saturday's game will be the WAC opener for Utah Tech (4-2). The Trailblazers were back East over Thanksgiving weekend and won a pair of games, first defeating New Hampshire, 56-46, before a decisive win over Stonehill College, 81-58.
Utah Tech is led by WAC Preseason Player of the Year, Breanna Gillen, who is averaging 15.2 points per game. Maddie Warren is also scoring 15.2 per contest while her twin sister, Macie, is averging 14.8 points. The Trailblazers take and make more 3-pointers per game, and at a higher percentage, than any team in the WAC. Macie Warren is hitting 48.1% of her attempts while Maddie is at 42.9%.
THE All-TIME SERIES
Utah Valley is 5-3 all-time against Utah Tech during the Wolverines' NCAA DI era. The teams have split six contests since Utah Tech began its transition to NCAA DI and the Trailblazers have won three straight, all coming last season. That included a 72-68 win in the opening round of the WAC Tournament. The Wolverines are 3-1 at home against Utah Tech.
UP NEXT
The Wolverines will travel to Pocatello next Wednesday for a game at Idaho State before returning home to host Utah State next Saturday, Dec. 9.
