LOS ANGELES (Interstat) — The Southern Utah Thunderbirds, riding a wave of momentum, will face the Loyola Marymount Lions in a nonconference women’s basketball matchup Sunday at Gersten Pavilion. Southern Utah (8-3) enters fresh off an emphatic 80-47 road victory over Omaha on Saturday. The Thunderbirds have won two straight and seven of their last nine, showcasing a potent offense that has topped 80 points four times this season. Their success has been fueled by a balanced attack, but forward Ava Uhrich has been a consistent standout. Coming off a 23-point performance in just 23 minutes against Omaha, Uhrich averages 15.1 points per game and will be a primary focus for the Lions’ defense. Loyola Marymount (5-5) looks to rebound on its home floor after a 68-60 loss to Weber State on Saturday. The Lions have alternated wins and losses over their past six games, seeking more consistency as they conclude their nonconference schedule. Guard Maya Hernandez leads the charge, averaging a team-high 12.7 points per game. She scored 16 points in the loss to Weber State and will need another strong performance to counter Southern Utah’s rhythm. The game presents a contrast in trajectories. The Thunderbirds have built their record with a strong road presence, including an overtime win at Cal Poly and a victory at Eastern Washington. Loyola Marymount has protected its home court well, boasting a 4-1 record at Gersten Pavilion, with the lone loss coming by just four points to Hawaii. Southern Utah’s depth was on display against Omaha, with Denver Anderson adding 14 points and Sierra Chambers dishing out seven assists alongside Uhrich’s scoring. Loyola Marymount will rely on Hernandez and supporting contributors like Andjela Matic and Zawadi Ogot, who combined for 23 points in the most recent outing. This contest serves as a final tune-up before both teams dive into conference play after the holiday. Southern Utah begins Western Athletic Conference action Jan. 3, while Loyola Marymount opens West Coast Conference play Dec. 28 at Gonzaga. Tipoff is set for Sunday afternoon in Los Angeles.