2023-2024 WAC Women's Basketball Release - Week Eight 

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS? WATCH WAC BASKETBALL
As WAC squads gear up for their final week of nonconference play, Saturday Dec. 30 is full of WAC action to tune into on ESPN+. Utah Tech at FIU will start off the day followed by UNT Dallas at Stephen F. Austin, Abilene Christian host Louisiana Tech, UTRGV travels to Sam Houston, Southern Utah on the road to UTEP, NM State at UT Arlington, Tarleton State traveling to Texas Southern and Grand Canyon hosting Middle Tennessee. Nonconference play will wrap up before the New Year as Seattle U travels to Arizona on Dec. 31.

DOWN GOES OREGON
Utah Tech earned its first win over a major conference opponent with a 92-86 win over Oregon on Dec. 19. The Trailblazers knocked down a total of 21 3-pointers, shooting 67.7% from behind the arc. Five ‘Blazers recorded double-digit points with Maggie McCord leading the team with 24 points, draining eight 3-pointers which tied the school-record. Maddie Warren recorded 21 points, Breaunna Gillen had 17 points, Calyn Dallas tallied 14 points and Nicole Willardson chipped in with 12 points.

UTA CLIMBING THE WAC RÉSUMÉ SEEDING SYSTEM  
The WAC Résumé Seeding System Rankings are designed to give more credit to WAC teams for playing stronger opponents than if they play weaker opponents. UT Arlington has one of the toughest nonconference schedules in the WAC during the 2023-24 campaign, playing against teams such as Texas, Colorado and Illinois State. This has proved beneficial to the Mavs as they were slotted in ninth on the debut of the seeding system rankings on Dec.4 with -2.25 points. In the latest seeding system rankings that were released on Dec. 26, the Mavs have climbed to fifth with -1.59 points. California Baptist still holds the advantage with 3.59 points, Grand Canyon is in second with 1.60, Stephen F. Austin in third with 0.79 and followed by Utah Tech with -0.93.

WARRANTY ISN’T UP FOR WARREN
Utah Tech’s Maddie Warren had a stellar weekend as she averaged 19.5 points on 41.9 percent shooting (13-31), including a sizzling 58.8 percent (10-17) from the perimeter in Utah Tech’s two-game split at its Trailblazer Classic last week. Warren knocked down six 3-pointers finishing with 21 points, three rebounds, two assists and a steal in a win over Oregon on Dec. 20. She then led Utah Tech with 18 points and hit four more 3-pointers against Oklahoma State on Dec. 21.

VALKOVA’S CAREER NIGHT
UT Arlington’s fifth year forward Adela Valkova had a career night in the Mavs 69-64 win against Jacksonville State on Dec. 19. Valkova had a career-high 21 points and seven rebounds, she also tied her career-high in assists with three. In the win, Avery Brittingham pitched in with 19 points, while Gia Adams had 18 points.

SFA IN THE NCAA STAT RANKINGS  
In the latest NCAA DI national statistics rankings that were released on Dec. 22, Stephen F. Austin had multiple players individually ranked in different categories. Redshirt senior Kurstyn Harden ranked 10th in the NCAA in free throws made with 64. Sophomore guard Kyla Deck ranked 15th in the nation in steals per game (3.09) and 21st in total steals (34). Senior guard Destini Lombard was tied 40th in the NCAA in total steals (30), tied 48th in assists per game (4.9) and ranked 50th in assist/turnover ratio (2.36).