SURPRISE, Ariz. - The OUAZ women's basketball team is off to its best start in Golden State Athletic Conference play, and sit in a three-way tie for fifth place in the Golden State Athletic Conference standings. They return home to Faith Arena this week with an excellent opportunity to gain ground in the playoff race.

The Spirit's first test will come against one of the teams its tied with, Hope International. The Royals enter play with a 2-3 conference record, but are 11-3 overall. OUAZ has yet to defeat Hope International, but have been close in three of the four matchups all time.

Life Pacific will then come into Surprise on Saturday afternoon, a place that has not been too kind to the Warriors. OUAZ has defeated LPU in two matchups in program history, both coming last season. The Spirit picked up its second-ever GSAC win over Life Pacific on Jan. 12, 2019, and then took the season on at home on Valentine's Day 2019.

While Natasa Radovic did not win a national player of the week award for her performances in Southern California, it did not mean she was without production. In the games against Vanguard and San Diego Christian, Radovic averaged 20.0 points and 10.00 rebounds while shooting 52% from the field.

Radovic's 20 point, 15 rebound performance against San Diego Christian was her sixth double-double of the season, and the third in her past four games. She has also has a 50% or better shooting percentage in three consecutive games.

OUAZ is fantastic at cleaning the glass, and are the best team in the country at doing so. The Spirit grab 48.0 rebounds per game, the top average in the NAIA. In terms of each rebound category, they rank eighth nationally in defensive rebounds per game (31.23) and sixth in offensive rebounds per game (16.77).

Thursday's matchup against Hope International is scheduled for 5pm MST. Tipoff for Saturday's game against Life Pacific is scheduled for Noon MST. Live stats and video for both games can be found at https://portal.stretchinternet.com/ottawaaz/#live