Cats Head to Utah For Two Games

Thursday, January 25

St. George, Utah

8 p.m.

Abilene Christian

Utah Tech

Photo by: Josh Beam

1/23/2024 4:12:00 PM | Women's Basketball

By: Ray Fink

ABILENE – Abilene Christian continues its four-game road swing this week with two contests in Utah.

The Wildcats visit Utah Tech at 8 p.m. (Central) on Thursday and Southern Utah at 3 p.m. (Central) on Saturday.

ACU is 8-8 on the season and 4-3 in the Western Athletic Conference after a 74-67 loss at Texas-Arlington on Saturday.

Utah Tech comes in at 9-9 overall and 3-4 in the WAC after a 55-52 setback at the hands of Utah Valley.

Southern Utah, 4-12 overall and 2-5 in the league, host Tarleton State on Thursday. The Thunderbirds are coming off a 93-67 loss at California Baptist.

ACU Storylines

A Look at Us: ACU is now fifth in the nation in three-pointers attempted per game, averaging 28.8. The Wildcats also are 13^th nationally in three-pointers made per game at 9.1. Freshman Payton Hull leads the Western Athletic Conference with 2.75 three-pointers made per game.

Queen Bella: Bella Earle has taken over the WAC lead in rebounding, averaging 8.4 per game. She's also second in the WAC with 4.0 assists per game. Earle is third in the nation with two triple-doubles this season.

Four Score: Payton Hull leads a quartet of Cats in double-figure scoring averages at 15 points per game. Aspen Thornton is next at 12.2, followed by Bella Earle at 11.8 and Addison Martin at 10.2.

Trending: In its last three games, ACU is averaging 78 points per game, led by Aspen Thornton at 16.3. Bella Earle has averaged 14.7 and Payton Hull 14.3 in those three games. Meredith Mayes averages 8.7 points and nine rebounds. Earle is averaging a double-double with 10.7 rebounds per game in that span. Earle also gets five assists per game.

On the Road: ACU is 2-4 on hostile courts this season. Payton Hull has thrived there, averaging 19.2 points. Bella Earle averages 12.6 points, 8.3 rebounds and 4.7 assists on the road. Aspen Thornton and Addison Martin are averaging 13.2 and 12.6 points per road game, respectively.

Last Game: ACU fell at UTA, 74-67, despite getting 18 points each from Payton Hull and Aspen Thornton.

History with Utah Tech: ACU lost in St. George last season, 85-74. Aspen Thornton had 13 points and Claire Graham added 10. Breaunna Gillen led the Blazers with 21 points and 11 assists.

Scouting UT: Breaunna Gillen averages 15.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 4.8 assists to lead the Trailblazers in all three categories. Twin sisters Maddie and Macie Warren average 15.3 points and 14.9 points, respectively.

History with SUU: The Cats got an overtime victory over Southern Utah last season in Abilene, 85-83. Aspen Thornton had 17 points and Addison Martin added 13 in the win.

Scouting the T-Birds: Megan Smith, a 6-3 center, led the team with 16.2 points per game but hasn't played a game in 2024. Daylani Ballena averages 14.7 points and 3.5 assists per game and Ava Uhrich is averaging 13.1 points and 7.5 rebounds.