CEDAR CITY, Utah (Interstat) — A pivotal rematch with potential conference tournament seeding implications awaits Sunday when the Southern Utah Thunderbirds host the Abilene Christian Wildcats in a women’s NCAA Division I basketball game at Centrum Arena. The matchup features two of the region’s hottest teams. Abilene Christian (19-7) arrives having won five of its last six, including a 72-67 road victory at Tarleton State on Feb. 14. Southern Utah (18-8) has won four of its last five, most recently a 76-69 home win over Tarleton State on Feb. 18. The season series is split 1-1, setting the stage for a decisive rubber match. Southern Utah narrowly won the most recent meeting 71-68 at home on Jan. 31, but Abilene Christian dominated the earlier contest 82-54 on its home floor on Jan. 17. All eyes will be on a duel between two standout guards. Abilene Christian’s Payton Hull enters on a scoring tear, averaging 26.4 points over her last five games. She erupted for a career-high 36 points in the win at Tarleton State and scored 21 in the Jan. 31 loss at Southern Utah. She will be countered by Southern Utah’s dynamic Ava Uhrich, who is coming off a 24-point, 6-assist performance. Uhrich, who had 14 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists in the January win over the Wildcats, has showcased versatile all-around play, including an 18-rebound game on Jan. 24. The game pits Southern Utah’s home-court advantage, where they are 11-2 this season, against an Abilene Christian squad that has proven capable of winning tough road games. With nearly identical records and a recent history of close contests, Sunday’s clash promises high stakes and intense competition as both teams jockey for position late in the regular season. Tipoff is scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026.