WAC WBB2526 Release Week 9

CALIFORNIA BAPTIST FLIPS THE SWITCH
The start of conference play meant the start of a new season for California Baptist who ended a six-game losing skid with three straight wins to kick off WAC play. The Lancers picked up wins at home against Utah Valley, UT Arlington and Tarleton State in dominant fashion as they averaged 82.3 points for the week and won with a double-digit scoring differential in each game. The Lancers caused damage from beyond the arc, shooting 42.0 percent from deep and averaging 12.3 3-pointers per game.
 
SOUTHERN UTAH CONTINUES TO ROLL IN WEEK ONE OF WAC PLAY
Southern Utah, who was picked last in the WAC preseason rankings, was one of two teams to come out the first week of WAC play undefeated as the Thunderbirds took down Utah Tech and UT Arlington. The T-Birds remained perfect at home this season at 6-0 after defeating the Trailblazers 78-60 in their conference opener and followed that up with the program’s first-ever win against UT Arlington 58-55 in Arlington, Texas. Sierra Chambers averaged 18.5 points last week and continued her dominance from the charity line, making 16 shots on 18 attempts for a 88.9 free throw percentage. Chambers’ 89.5 free throw percentage for the overall season ranks 3rd in the nation among those with at least 70 attempts.
 
UTAH VALLEY DEFENDS THE HOME TURF
Utah Valley opened up 2026 with back-to-back home wins against Tarleton State 74-49 and Abilene Christian 69-67. A total of 46 of the 69 points scored against the Wildcats came from Amanda Barcello and Kylee Mabry, who notched 23 points each and made all 11 UVU shots from distance while combining for a 68.8 3-point field goal percentage (11-of-16) in the game. Barcello averaged 19.0 points in the two victories, shooting 64.3 percent from the 3-point range and making nine shots from beyond the arc on 14 attempts.
 
CBU’S OLSEN SWEEPS WAC WEEKLY AWARDS
California Baptist’s Lauren Olsen was named the WAC Player and Newcomer of the Week after leading the Lancers to a 3-0 start in conference play and posting at least 20 points in all three games. Olsen’s 21.0 points per game was the most in the first week of WAC play as she shot 55.8 percent from the field and made nine 3-pointers on 17 attempts (52.9 percent) including a 4-of-4 3-point display against Tarleton State on Saturday. Olsen now has six 20-point games this season, tied for the most in the conference.