OPENING TIP
The final game of the calendar year and the non-conference schedule is on tap for Utah Valley University this week when Sam Houston comes to Orem this Thursday. The game is the second and final on the schedule as part of the WAC/Conference USA scheduling alliance and will tip at 2 p.m. MT in the UCCU Center and air on ESPN+.

The Wolverines (4-6) are led in scoring by Kaylee Byon's 8.4 points and Tessa Chaney's 5.8 rebounds per game. UVU is 3-1 at home so far this season including a 30-point win in the last game in Orem, on Dec. 9 against Utah State. 

LAST TIME OUT
Utah Valley fell at New Mexico State, 70-39, last Saturday after second quarter struggles put them in a double-digit hole by halftime. Liana Kaitu'u matched her high as a Wolverine with 11 points in the contest. It was the first time this season that the Wolverines have turned the ball over more than their opponents as the team continues to rank among the nation's leaders in turnovers forced and turnover margin.

WHERE THEY RANK
UVU leads the WAC and ranks 21st in the country in turnover margin, is 22nd in turnovers forced per game, and ranks 15th in steals per game at 12.1. The Wolverines are -6.5 in turnovers so far this while forcing just under 22 opponent giveaways per game. UVU also leads the WAC and ranks 29th in the country in bench points per game (30.3). Individually, Kylee Mabry is third in the WAC in both steals (27) and steals per game (2.70) and sits at 41st and 46th, respectively, in the nation in those categories.

ABOUT THE OPPOSITION
Sam Houston is 5-5 after a late comeback at SMU on Monday came up short in a 69-64 defeat. Four Bearkat players average in double figures, led by Diana Rosenthal's 12.3 per contest off the bench. Sam Houston leads the nation in offensive rebounds per game (19.8) with Raanee Smith ranking first nationally with 5.8 per. Smith is just shy of averaging a double-double with 11.3 points and 9.7 rebounds per game. The Bearkats also lead Conference USA and are fifth in the country in turnovers forced. 

Sam Houston has won the two prior meetings between the programs, both coming during the Bearkats time as members of the WAC. UVU dropped a 71-56 game in Huntsville, Texas last season.

UP NEXT
UVU will be off until Jan. 4 when WAC play resumes at California Baptist. The Wolverines will also travel to Southern Utah for a Jan. 6 game before a stretch of three straight at home.