FORT SMITH, Ark. - University of Arkansas - Fort Smith Women's Basketball will begin a stretch of three consecutive games against teams in the WBCA Top 25 or receiving votes this week when UT Tyler and No. 10 Texas Woman's visit the Stubblefield Center.
The Lions will face off against the Patriots, who are receiving votes in this week's poll, Thursday at 5:30 p.m. followed by a matchup with the No. 10 Pioneers Saturday at 1 p.m.
Both games will be streamed on the Lone Star Conference Digital Network and broadcast on Fox Sports Radio 103.5. Live stats will be available at uafortsmithlions.com.
NOTES:
LAST WEEK: UAFS earned a pair of home victories by defeating Midwestern State and Cameron.
POTW: Guard Baylee Fincher was named the Lone Star Conference Offensive Player of the Week after averaging 24.5 points and 3.5 assists on 56.5 percent shooting. She was 9-for-15 from beyond the arc and 14-fof-15 at the line, including 11-for-11 against Midwestern State.
SEASON-HIGHS: The Lions scored a season-high 96 points against Midwestern State, then tallied a season-high 15 made threes and 51.8 shooting percentage in a win over Cameron.
TRIPLE THREAT: The guard trio of Fincher, Morgan Browning and Riley Hayes combined for 70 of the Lions' 96 points against MSU and then teamed up for 49 of 79 in the win over Cameron. All three scored over 20 points against MSU.
RANKED WIN: UAFS is looking for its first win over a ranked opponent since February 29, 2020, when the Lions defeated No. 4 Texas A&M-Commerce.
SCOUTING UTT: The Patriots dropped out of the top 25 last week but still are atop the league at 18-4, 12-1 LSC. UTT leads the LSC in scoring defense at 53.1 points per game and opponent field goal percentage. Seven players average at least six points per game, while guard Tina Machalova is the lone Patriot in double figures at 12.8 points per game.
SCOUTING TWU: The Pioneers have won eight in a row climb back into the WBCA top-10 and are 18-3, 12-1 LSC. TWU tops the league in field goal percentage and assist/turnover ratio, led by forward Ashley Ingram and her 18.3 points and 8.8 rebounds per game.
THE SERIES: The Lions trail in the series against UT Tyler 4-2 and are 1-8 against Texas Woman's. The lost both matchups on the road earlier this season.
