CEDAR CITY, Utah (Interstat) — In-state rivals Utah Tech and Southern Utah will meet Monday night at Centrum Arena in a nonconference women’s basketball clash, with the host Thunderbirds looking to continue their strong start and the Trailblazers aiming to level their season record. Southern Utah (8-4) enters with a clear advantage in the standings, having won eight of its first 12 games. The Thunderbirds are coming off a 76-68 road loss to Loyola Marymount on Dec. 21, a game in which Ava Uhrich posted 26 points, eight rebounds and six assists. Uhrich has been a consistent force, averaging over 20 points in her last two contests, including a 23-point performance in an 80-47 rout of Omaha on Dec. 20. Utah Tech (5-5) snapped a three-game skid with a 69-55 home victory over Chicago State on Dec. 17. The Trailblazers are led by Brie Crittendon, who recorded 16 points and eight rebounds in that win. Crittendon has been a bright spot during the recent stretch, averaging 13.8 points over her last four games. The matchup features a contrast in recent momentum. Southern Utah has shown offensive firepower, scoring 80 points twice in December, while Utah Tech has struggled at times to find consistent scoring, failing to reach 60 points in three of its five losses. Southern Utah holds the home-court advantage at the Centrum, where they are 4-1 this season, including a decisive 69-59 win over New Mexico State on Dec. 4. Utah Tech is 4-2 at home but has yet to secure a true road win this season, going 0-3 away from St. George. This contest is the first of two scheduled meetings between the programs this season. They are set to meet again in Cedar City on Jan. 24 in a Western Athletic Conference game. Monday’s nonconference tilt offers an early-season barometer for both teams before league play intensifies in the new year. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. MST.