OPENING TIP
Off to its best start since 2007, the Utah Valley University women's basketball team is set to host CSU Bakersfield on Saturday at 2 p.m. in the UCCU Center. The game will air live on ESPN+. The Wolverines (3-0) started 9-0 in 2007 but hadn't won three straight to begin the season since then. That season, UVU had its first-ever votes in the AP Top 25 and an All-American in Robyn Fairbanks.

So far this season, Utah Valley has picked up right where the team left off last season in terms of defensive prowess. After finishing ninth in the country in steals per game last year, the Wolverines are leading the country early on, taking it away 22.0 times per game. The Wolverines also rank fifth in the nation with 31.7 turnovers forced per contest. Ally Criddle leads the WAC and is 11th in the country with 4.0 steals per game and 18th nationally with 12 total steals. 

LAST TIME OUT
Utah Valley University reached the century mark for the first time since 2014 in a 100-37 win over Park University Gilbert on Wednesday night in the UCCU Center. UVU set program records for assists in a game (33) and blocks in a game (12) while reaching triple digits for the first time since Nov. 14, 2014, when they put up 109 against Bristol. 

Several individuals also set career highs in the win. Saige Gibb led all scorers with a career-high 17 points while also setting new highs with six rebounds and five 3-pointers. Amanda Barcello also set a new career-high with five makes from beyond the arc. Other notable career highs set in Wednesday's game include: Cambree Blackham with 11 points, five rebounds, and five assists, Aspen Caldwell with six steals, Kennedy Carlyle with five blocks, and Halle Nelson with four steals. 

Tessa Chaney also recorded her first double-double of the season, finishing with 15 points and 12 rebounds, while also collecting three blocks, on 6-for-8 from the field and Ally Criddle, dished out eight assists and nabbed seven steals in just 13 minutes of action. The Wolverines had 25 steals and forced 31 turnovers, leading to 39 points.

ABOUT THE OPPOSITION
CSU Bakersfield dropped to 0-3 on the season after falling 67-51 at Utah State on Thursday. The Roadrunners opened the season at UVU's WAC foe, Grand Canyon, to open the season, 93-52, on the road. Through three games, Melissa Secchiaroli leads the team with 10.3 points per game while GCU transfer Taylor Caldwell is averaging 10.0 points and 5.5 rebounds. 

UVU and CSUB are former WAC rivals and have met 23 times prior. The 'Runners, now members of the Big West, hold a 16-7 advantage all-time with the two teams splitting 10 games in Orem. CSUB is coached by Ari Wideman, who is in her first season leading the program. Wideman, who was previously an assistant at Toledo.

WEEKLY HONORS
Danja Stafford Collins was named the WAC Newcomer of the Week on Monday, Nov. 11 after posting an average of 10.5 points and 10.5 rebounds in two wins to open the season.