OPENING TIP
Utah Valley, winners of three straight, will host Seattle U on Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. MT in the UCCU Center. With a win, the Wolverines (12-6, 4-2) would match their best start to the conference season since the 2021 team that ultimately played in the program's first NCAA Tournament in San Antonio. 

Tahlia White scored 17 in a Thursday night win over California Baptist to earn a split of the season series with the Lancers. White is averaging 14.3 points per game in WAC play to lead the team. Halle Nelson had 10 points and a career-high 14 rebounds to notch the second double-double of her career. Nelson was making her first start of the season in place of Danja Stafford Collins, who was limited due to illness. UVU had a decisive 51-34 edge in rebounding on Thursday, with 17 coming on the offensive glass. 

As a team, the Wolverines continue to lead the WAC and rank among the national leaders in steals per game and turnovers forced per game. UVU ranks fourth in the country with 13.7 steals per game, 12th with 23.9 turnovers forced per game, and also leads the league in bench points (25.5) and offensive rebounds per game (14.3). Stafford Collins leads the WAC in total rebounds, rebounds per game, and offensive rebounds per game, with her 4.7 per contest ranking fourth in the country. 

LAST TIME OUT
Utah Valley defeated California Baptist, 59-50, on Thursday night in the UCCU Center, outscoring the Lancers 39-22 in the second half after trailing 28-20 at the break. The Wolverines closed the third quarter on a 15-0 run and extended it to 17 straight to start the fourth, flipping a 10-point deficit into a 43-36 lead early in the fourth. 

In addition to the contributions of White and Nelson, Ally Criddle finished with 10 points, six rebounds, and six assists while Amanda Barcello finished with seven points as she and Cambree Blackham had three steals apiece. Barcello also collected two blocks while Stafford Collins had six points and eight rebounds.

ABOUT THE OPPOSITION
Seattle U is 3-15 overall and has dropped the first five games to begin WAC play after Thursday's 70-58 home loss to UT Arlington. Candy Edokpaigbe, a freshmen from Naples, Italy, leads the Redhawks with 10.7 points per game. Seattle leads the all-time series against UVU, 15-12. At home, the Wolverines are 8-3 all-time against the Redhawks.

UP NEXT
The Wolverines will play once next week when they host league-leading Grand Canyon on Saturday, Feb. 1 at 2 p.m. MT in a game that will be played in Lockhart Arena.