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Utah Tech Trailblazers (2-2) at HCU Huskies (0-3)
Thursday, Nov. 21 – 6 p.m.
Sharp Gym – Houston, Texas
TV (ESPN+)
Live Stats
Game Notes
HOUSTON – HCU women’s basketball is set to face Utah Tech for the very first time in the program’s history. This highly anticipated match will occur on Thursday at 6:00 p.m. in the familiar confines of Sharp Gym as part of a challenging stretch that sees the Huskies embark on eight consecutive games leading to the New Year, with a significant majority—seven—taking place on their home turf.
The Huskies (0-3) have commenced their season by competing against three formidable Big 12 opponents. In their most recent contest, they suffered a devastating loss to the Houston Cougars, displaying resilience throughout the game. The HCU team initially held a seven-point lead in the first half but found themselves trailing by as much as nine points during the second half. They rallied back to equalize at 52-52 with only 2:33 left on the clock. Unfortunately, a critical foul called against HCU in the dying seconds allowed UH’s Leilani Augmon to secure the victory with two successful free throws.
Jo Oly and Victoria Dixon stepped up for the Huskies, each contributing 12 points to the scoreboard, with Oly completing the game with an impressive shooting percentage of 54.5% (6-of-11), while Dixon followed suit with 45.5% accuracy (5-of-11). Despite the loss, HCU demonstrated their tenacity with a rebound advantage over the Cougars, securing 37 boards compared to their opponent’s 34. They achieved a commendable shooting percentage of 42.3% (22-of-52), while limiting Houston to a mere 35.2% (19-of-54) from the field.
So far this season, HCU has out-rebounded all three of their opponents in the regular season (TCU, Texas Tech, Houston), showcasing their dominance on the boards with a +6.3 rebounding margin. Notably, Tiffany Tullis leads the squad in rebounding, averaging 8.3 rebounds per game, and Oly is close behind, contributing 7.3 rpg. On the scoring front, Dixon has established herself as a key offensive player, averaging 8.3 points per game.
Utah Tech (2-2) enters Houston energized after securing a thrilling 81-78 victory against Weber State last Saturday. The Trailblazers’ junior star, Chardonnay Hartley, delivered an outstanding performance, notching an impressive 28 points. She received strong support from teammates Emily Isaacson, who added 20 points and pulled down a team-leading six rebounds, and Ellie Taylor, who chipped in with 17 points. Demonstrating their shooting prowess, Utah Tech was on fire from beyond the arc, making 16 of their 30 attempts for an exceptional accuracy rate of 53.3%.
Through four contests, Hartley has been instrumental for the Trailblazers, posting an average of 19.3 points per game while also providing 34 assists. Mylee Graham, contributing from the bench, leads the team in rebounding with an average of 6.0 rebounds per game across just 14 minutes of play. Collectively, the Trailblazers have showcased their ability to knock down shots from long range, shooting 37.1% (51-of-137) from three-point territory.
Thursday’s matchup will mark a historic first encounter between the two programs. Following this game, the Trailblazers will travel to Lake Charles, Louisiana for a Saturday, Nov. 23 clash against the McNeese Cowgirls.
The Huskies will also be gearing up for another Western Athletic Conference (WAC) challenge on Tuesday, Nov. 26, when they welcome Tarleton State to Sharp Gym at 6:00 p.m.
What challenges do you foresee in your first matchup against Utah Tech, and how do you plan to address them?
**Interview with HCU Women’s Basketball Coach**
**Interviewer:** Good evening, Coach! Thanks for joining us today as we prepare for your upcoming game against Utah Tech. How is the team feeling heading into this match?
**Coach:** Thanks for having me! The team is excited to hit the court against Utah Tech. It’s our first matchup with them, which adds an element of anticipation. We’ve been working hard, and I’m confident we can showcase the progress we’ve made in practice.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned the team’s hard work. After facing tough competition from Big 12 opponents, how do you think those experiences will benefit the players as they take on Utah Tech?
**Coach:** Those games have provided invaluable lessons. Competing against strong teams like TCU, Texas Tech, and Houston has exposed areas where we need to improve, especially under pressure. The resilience we’ve shown, coming back from behind in games, has strengthened our mental toughness. I believe it’s all part of our growth.
**Interviewer:** In your last game against Houston, you had a close finish. What did you take away from that match, both positively and negatively?
**Coach:** It was definitely a rollercoaster. While it stung to lose, I’m proud of how the girls rallied. Holding a seven-point lead at one point showed our potential. However, we need to work on closing games and capitalizing on crucial possessions. The players stepped up, especially Jo Oly and Victoria Dixon, who both scored 12 points. They showed resilience, and we’ll build on that moving forward.
**Interviewer:** What specific strategies or adjustments are you planning to implement against Utah Tech to secure your first win of the season?
**Coach:** We’ll focus on maintaining our rebounding edge since we’ve out-rebounded every opponent so far this season, averaging a +6.3 margin. This will be crucial. Offensively, we need to improve our shot selection and find better ways to create opportunities. We also aim to keep our defensive intensity high to limit their scoring chances.
**Interviewer:** It sounds like a solid plan. How important is it to have this game at home, especially with seven out of the next eight games taking place at Sharp Gym?
**Coach:** Home games are invaluable! The support from our fans gives us an extra boost. Familiarity with the court allows us to play more comfortably, and I hope our fans will come out to support us. It’s the kind of environment that can really fuel our players.
**Interviewer:** Lastly, what message do you hope to convey to your players in this crucial stretch of games leading up to the New Year?
**Coach:** The main message is to stay focused and resilient. Each game is an opportunity to learn and improve, not just for victories but for our long-term development as a team. I want them to embrace the challenge and have fun while doing it. We’re building something special here, and every effort counts!
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Coach! We’re looking forward to the game against Utah Tech. Best of luck!
**Coach:** Thank you! We appreciate the support!
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**Reminder for Followers:** Don’t forget to follow the HCU women’s basketball team on Twitter for the latest updates and game highlights, including the upcoming match against Utah Tech at 6 p.m. tonight at Sharp Gym [[1](https://twitter.com/HCUWBB)].
