OPENING TIP
After opening with three straight on the road, Utah Valley University begins its WAC home schedule on Thursday against UT Arlington. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. MT in the UCCU Center with the game airing on ESPN+. 

The Wolverines (9-6, 1-2) will also travel to St. George to face Utah Tech on Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. in the Old Hammer Rivalry. UVU has played four straight on the road, and hasn't played a home contest since Dec. 20, a win over Jacksonville State. The team was 2-2 in the four road games, including a WAC-opening thriller in double-overtime, 64-63, at Abilene Christian. 

Last week, a pair of slow starts contributed to losses at two of the WAC's perennial favorites at Grand Canyon and California Baptist, and things will get no easier with the Mavs this week, the only 3-0 team in the league and winners of four straight. 

Utah Valley continues to be among the national leaders defensively, ranking fourth in the county with 14.1 steals per game, and 12th in turnovers forced per game (24.2). UVU is also top 50 in the country in turnover margin (4.67), free throw attempts per game (19.6), and bench points per game (26.4). 

LAST TIME OUT
The Wolverines fell victim to a career day from CBU's Khloe Lemon, who made 11 3-pointers en route to a 39-point career high.The Lancers were 19-for-34 from beyond the arc for the game. Amanda Barcello led the Wolverines with 14 points, making four 3-pointers in the game, the third time this season she has hit at least four in a game. Halle Nelson had a season-high 13 for the Wolverines. 

ABOUT THE OPPOSITION
UT Arlington's 3-0 start in WAC play includes two wins last week at home against Utah Tech and Southern Utah. Thursday's game is the first road game the Mavs will play since Dec. 19. UTA is the top rebounding team in the WAC, averaging 39.8 per game. The Mavs are led by five-time WAC Newcomer of the Week Koi Love, a grad transfer who has spent time at Vanderbilt, Arizona and most recently USC. Love is averaging 18.0 points per game while Avery Brittingham is averaging 13.3 point and 9.1 rebounds. UT Arlington has won two of the three prior games between the programs and swept the season series in 2023-24.

UP NEXT
The Wolverines will play two home games in conference play next week when they host California Baptist on Jan. 23 an Seattle University on Jan. 25