THE AGENDA
The OUAZ women's basketball team returns to Surprise this week where the Spirit will host a pair of Golden State Athletic Conference games. The week begins on Thursday when San Diego Christian comes to town for a 5 p.m. contest. On Saturday, No. 8 Vanguard is the opponent for a game that will begin at noon. All of the action will take place at Willow Canyon High School.
 
Both games are the first of a doubleheader with the men's game tipping 20 minutes after the women's game ends. Admission is free to al OUAZ home basketball games this season. Fans attending the games are encouraged to park on the south side of the gymnasium and enter the building through the west doors.
 
OUAZ will broadcast both games live on the NAIA Network and through the Spirit Game Central portal. The NAIA Network is available on Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, and Roku devices by searching NAIA. Live stats will also be available during each game. Links for all live coverage is available at OUAZSpirit.com/live.
 
ABOUT THE SPIRIT
OUAZ is back at home with an 8-10 overall record and looking to snap a four-game losing streak. They are eighth in the GSAC with a 2-9 record in league play. The Spirit are 4-5 at home this season and they have dropped the last two home games played.
 
Starting the week OUAZ is averaging 66.6 points per game by shooting 36.8 percent from the field. The team makes 6.0 3-pointers per game and shoots 26.5 percent from beyond the arc. They are converting 69.5 percent at the foul line while averaging 12.0 assists per game with a 0.7 assist-to-turnover ratio.
 
Opponents of the Spirit are scoring 70.4 points per game and they shoot 39.4 percent. From beyond the arc, the opposition shoots 32.4 percent and makes 6.9 threes per outing. OUAZ grabs 39.7 rebounds per game while allowing 45.2 per night. The Spirit force 19.4 turnovers per contest and average 10.2 steals and 2.8 blocks.
 
Bailey Osmer is the leading scorer for the Spirit at 15.6 points per game and she ranks sixth in the GSAC in that category. Osmer has scored in double figures 15 times and had a run of five straight games snapped on Saturday. She has four games with 20-plus points and has one 30-point performance. Her 280 points scored this season are a school record and she also leads the team with 104 rebounds this season.
 
Alexis Smith averages 12.9 points per game with 13 games in double figures. She has scored in double figures in five straight and eight of the past nine outings. She lads the Spirit with 51 assists and is eighth in the GSAC at 2.83 assists per game. Smith's 30 made 3-pointers this season are a new school record.
 
Jorie Mayfield gives the Spirit 11.8 points per game while pulling in 6.1 rebounds per game. She leads the Spirit with three double-doubles and she is 12th in the GSAC in rebounding average. Mayfield also leads the team with 14 blocks and is second with 34 steals.
 
ABOUT SAN DIEGO CHRISTIAN
San Diego Christian will come to Surprise with a 7-15 overall record and having dropped two straight. The Hawks are 1-9 in GSAC play to sit ninth in the conference. Hannah Myers leads the Hawks in scoring at 9.0 points per game.
 
OUAZ holds a 2-0 lead in the all-time series against San Diego Christian, including a 69-64 win in January.
 
ABOUT VANGUARD
Vanguard begins the week at 16-5 overall and with a No. 8 national ranking. They are fourth in the GSAC with their 7-3 conference record. The Lion shave won three straight after a two-game losing streak. Vanessa Murphy ranks third in the GSAC by scoring 17.8 points per game.
 
The first meeting between the two programs came in January at Vanguard where the Lions claimed an 84-48 win.
 
LOOKING AHEAD
The Spirit have just one game on the schedule next week when they head across the valley to face Arizona Christian on February 9 at 5:30 p.m.