2023-24 WAC Women's Basketball Release - Week 7
CBU MAINTAINS WAC RÉSUMÉ SEEDING SYSTEM LEAD
In the latest WAC Résumé Seeding System rankings that were compiled on Dec. 18, California Baptist extended its advantage with 3.87 points. Grand Canyon was in second with 2.06 points, while Stephen F. Austin is in third with 0.77 points in the most recent posting of rankings.
NAUDIA OR NICE
For the second time this season, Grand Canyon’s junior guard Naudia Evans has proved she is clutch under pressure. In overtime against Idaho, Evans knocked down a crucial jump floater at the buzzer to put the Lopes up 65-63. The win marked Grand Canyon’s sixth consecutive win as Evans finished with 13 points, five assists and four rebounds. Tiarra Brown led in scoring for the Lopes with 19 points, while adding eight rebounds and two steals. Shay Fano chipped in with 12 points coming off the bench.
IN IT FOR THE LONG HAUL
Tarleton State’s junior guard Jakoriah Long earned WAC Player and Newcomer of the Week after an impressive performance in the Texans 88-64 win over McNeese. Long’s 34 points marked the most by a Texan in their NCAA Division I era, surpassing Teresa Da Silva’s 31 points scored last season. Long had the most points in a game by a Texan in nearly 10 years since Kiara Wright scored 35 vs. Midwestern State on Feb. 5, 2014. Long is just the fifth player in the country this year with 34 plus points on 80 percent shooting or better in a game. 34 points are tied for the most scored in a game by a WAC player this season.
HAVE YOURSELF A DAY FRESHMAN
Utah Tech’s Calyn Dallas recorded her first career double-double with 22 points and 15 rebounds in the Trailblazers dominant 110-35 win over Bethesda (CA). She went 10-of-19 from the floor and almost recorded a triple-double with a career-best six assists. Dallas also chipped in with two blocks and one steal in her second start of the season. Utah Tech’s 110-point victory and 75-point margin broke a school record that stood nearly 15 years as the Trailblazers recorded a 59-point margin (95-36) during the 2008-09 season against Chaminade.
A WALK IN THE PARK FOR CLARK
UT Arlington’s Taliyah Clark had a stellar game as she posted a near double-double with a season-high 28 points and grabbed nine rebounds with three assists in the Mavs 76-65 win over Sam Houston on Dec. 16. She went 10-for-13 shooting from the floor and 3-for-6 from deep. Clark currently leads the Mavs in scoring averaging 12.8 points per game.
KEY MATCHUPS BEFORE THE HOLIDAYS
WAC schools have a stacked week ahead as Utah Tech hosts Oregon on Dec. 19. Grand Canyon travels to Liberty, Utah Tech plays against Oklahoma State and UTRGV host No. 5/7 Texas on Dec. 20. Utah Valley will wrap up the week as it hosts Sam Houston on Dec. 21.