The Teams: Tarleton State Texans (4-12, 1-6 WAC) at Southern Utah Thunderbirds (4-12, 2-5 WAC)
Where: Cedar City, Utah
Arena: America First Event Center (5,300)
Day and Time: Thursday at 7:30 p.m. CT
Streaming Platform: ESPN+
Radio: Tarleton Sports Network (Clayton Neville)
 
ABOUT THE MATCHUP

• This is the third all-time meeting, the first two occurring last year. The Thunderbirds won both by a combined nine points, a 55-48 final in Cedar City and an 80-78 OT game in Stephenville.
• The Thunderbirds won the WAC regular season and the WAC Tournament last year. They finished 16-2 in conference play, 23-10 overall, advancing to their first NCAA Tournament appearance.
• SUU has lost three straight and seven of their last eight.
• SUU allows the 29th most points in the country at 73.8 PPG. They just gave up 93 at California Baptist on Saturday.

 
QUICK HITS

• The Texans are looking to snap a season-long five-game slide. They've been better on the road this year, with three of their four wins coming away from Stephenville.
• In the last game, Tarleton nearly pulled off a late comeback. They were down 12 with three minutes to play against UTRGV, then cut it to three with 18 seconds left. Jakoriah Long scored 12 of her game-high 17 points in the fourth quarter, shooting 6-of-9 overall, adding five rebounds.
• In the last game, the Texans made 9-of-21 (.429) from three, including 5-of-10 in the fourth quarter. It marked their best percentage when hoisting 20-plus three-point shots since Dec. 6, 2022, vs. Weber State. Tarleton is fourth in the WAC in three-point percentage (.320), while SUU is last (.259).
• With a win Thursday, Tarleton could potentially be tied eighth in the standings, the cutoff for teams in the WAC Tournament. At 1-6, they're 10th behind SUU (2-5) and Utah Valley (2-6). 
• When Tarleton's offense is clicking, it's resulted in wins. Across the Texans' wins this season, they've averaged 79.5 points on 46.7 percent shooting, including 36.0 percent from distance. In losses, they've averaged 55.2 points on 35.7 percent shooting, 30.9 percent from deep.
• The Texans own a top-three defense in the conference. They're third in scoring defense (65.3 PPG), third in opposing field goal percentage (.379) and first in opposing three-point percentage (.286). They also average the most blocks (4.3) in the WAC, tied-50th most in the nation.

 
WHO'S HOT

• Jakoriah Long: Long just recorded her eighth double-digit scoring game of the season, most on the team, with 17 points (6-9 FG), five rebounds and two assists against UTRGV. She tied her career-high in rebounds and minutes played (37). She leads the team in scoring at 10.8 PPG.
• Andjela Bigovic: Bigovic didn't play the first half against UTRGV, and proved to be an immediate presence when she started the second half. She finished with eight points (3-5 FG, 2-4 3PT), seven rebounds, four assists and two steals in just 15 minutes.
• Teresa Da Silva: Da Silva played well against the Thunderbirds in both matchups last season, averaging 18.5 points and 2.5 steals. In the last game against SUU, she posted 23 points (5-10 3PT, 6-6 FT), four assists and two steals. She leads the team in steals per game this season at 1.0.

 
NUMBERS TO KNOW

• 8: Through Tarleton's 16 games played this season, they've OUTSHOT THEIR OPPONENT nine times. The Texans are 4-5 this season when outshooting their opponent, and 0-7 when getting outshot.
• 3: In Tarleton's games this season, the leader at halftime has typically won the game. The Texans are 3-1 WHEN LEADING AT HALFTIME this season, and 1-11 when trailing.
• 12: Of Tarleton's 15-woman roster, the Texans have three returners and 12 newcomers. Their 12 NEWCOMERS ARE TIED FOR THE MOST among all NCAA D1 programs, along with Utah State and fellow WAC program UT Arlington.
• 6: Of Tarleton's 15-woman roster, six ARE INTERNATIONAL PLAYERS, the tied-eighth most on a D1 roster this season. The Texans are represented by the United States (nine), the U.K. (two), Brazil, Montenegro, Norway and Poland.

 
UP NEXT FOR TARLETON
The Texans finish the two-game set in Utah against Utah Tech in St. George on Saturday at 3 p.m. CT.