Preview: Southern Utah at California Baptist Women’s Basketball RIVERSIDE, Calif. (Interstat) — A tightly contested Western Athletic Conference race brings a compelling rematch to the CBU Events Center on Thursday as the California Baptist Lancers host the Southern Utah Thunderbirds in a women’s NCAA Division I basketball game. Both teams enter with nearly identical records and recent momentum. California Baptist (16-8) has won three straight, including a 74-71 road victory at Abilene Christian on Feb. 7. Southern Utah (15-8) looks to bounce back from a narrow 59-57 loss at Tarleton State on the same date. The Lancers won the first meeting this season in Cedar City, edging the Thunderbirds 82-77 in overtime on Jan. 10. That result adds a layer of urgency for Southern Utah in the conference standings. A key matchup will feature two of the WAC’s top performers. California Baptist is led by Khloe Lemon, who is coming off a dominant 25-point, 7-rebound effort in the win over Abilene Christian. Over her last four games, Lemon is averaging 17 points. Southern Utah will counter with guard Devyn Kiernan, who scored 16 points with 6 rebounds in the loss to Tarleton State. Kiernan has been a consistent minutes leader for the Thunderbirds, playing 36 or more in three of her last five contests. The Lancers have been strong at home this season and currently sit a half-game ahead of the Thunderbirds in the conference standings. A win for California Baptist would solidify its position, while Southern Utah aims to split the season series and leapfrog its rival. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. PST at CBU Events Center. The teams are scheduled to meet again in Riverside on March 7 in the regular-season finale for both.