RIVERSIDE, Calif. – UT Arlington women's basketball heads back to Riverside for its third straight road contest, looking to flip the script in a WAC rematch at California Baptist on Saturday inside the Fowler Events Center. Tipoff is set for 3 p.m. CT (1 p.m. PT) with the game airing on ESPN+ and live stats available.
UTA meets California Baptist for the second time this season after the Lancers earned an 85-64 win on Jan. 1 in Riverside. The Lady Mavs will look to clean up the details and put together a sharper 40 minutes in the rematch as the road stretch rolls on.
Historically, the Lady Mavs trail the all-time series 2-7 and are still searching for their first win at the Fowler Events Center (0-4), but a strong showing Saturday would be a major step forward in WAC play.
UTA continues to lean on freshman standout Kira Reynolds, who leads the Mavericks in scoring (11.7 ppg), rebounding (8.0 rpg), and blocks (2.8 bpg). Nya Threatt paces the offense with 2.9 assists per game and is second on the team in scoring at 10.1 ppg, while Kali Haizlip has been UTA's top perimeter threat, shooting 42.4% from three on the season.
As a team, the Lady Mavs have built their identity on the defensive end, protecting the paint and running opponents off the three-point line, including holding opponents to 23.5% from deep top mark in the WAC and second in the nation.
California Baptist enters the weekend sitting atop the WAC standings and has been efficient on both ends, averaging 71.3 points per game while allowing 66.2.
Individually, the Lancers are led by Lauren Olsen (15.29 ppg), with Grace Schmidt (11.5 ppg) and Emma Johansson (11.1 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 3.0 bpg) also providing consistent production.
NOTEWORTHY
- Nya Threatt is coming off a career-high 27 points at Southern Utah, including a perfect 15-for-15 night at the free-throw line.
- UTA continues its road swing with a chance to pick up a key WAC win and tighten the standings race in the second half of conference play.
- The Lady Mavs' defensive activity has remained a constant, holding opponents to 23.5% from outside, using length at the rim and pressure on the perimeter to disrupt rhythm. That mark is second in the nation and leads the WAC.
- Freshman Kira Reynolds has been named WAC Newcomer of the week four times this season. Reynolds also sits fourth in the nation in blocks per game, 2.89.
FOLLOW ALONG
Fans can watch live on ESPN+ and follow along with live stats. Tipoff is set for 3 p.m. CT (1 p.m. PT) on Saturday, Jan. 31, in Riverside.
For updates, behind-the-scenes photos, videos, and more, follow the women's basketball program on X (formerly Twitter) @UTAMavsWBB and Instagram @UTAMavsWBB.
– #BuckEm –
