Daily Skiff

Two losses have pushed the Horned Frogs out of the conference lead and into a tie for second place. But the team hopes to get back on track tonight at home against the University of Utah, which is currently tied for first place in the Mountain West Conference.

Poor shooting performances have plagued the Horned Frogs (13-8, 4-3 MWC) in their last two games, each 17-point losses to the University of New Mexico and San Diego State University.

"This is a league where you're going to have to score to have a chance to win because the teams are just that good," head coach Jim Christian said.

The good news for the team is the conference is still up for grabs. Six of the nine teams in the Mountain West are tied for either first or second place with conference records of 4-3 or 5-2.

Christian said the team has to remain confident because there are a number of good teams in the league. He said the team has hit a rough patch and now has to fight its way out.

Every player on the team needs to do his part to help the Horned Frogs get back to their winning ways, Christian said.

"Because we don't have a lot of numbers, we need everybody to be there focused and playing well to have a chance to win and we've got to get back to that," Christian said.

The Horned Frogs own a 9-2 record at Daniel-Meyer Coliseum this season, but that success has failed to transfer to the road where the team has gone 4-6.

Christian said road games will get even more tough for the team as they travel to Colorado State University and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Utah (14-7, 5-2 MWC) is coming into the game having won two tight games at home. It took overtime for the Utes to top Brigham Young University a week ago and they squeezed past New Mexico for a one-point victory Saturday.

Christian said Utah is at the top of the league in several important statistical categories including field goal percentage and field goal percentage defense.

"They're playing unbelievably well right now," he said. "They're in first place in the league so it's a big game for us."

Following the game against Utah, the Horned Frogs will hit the road once again to face Colorado State on Saturday.

Listen to the game live on the radio starting at 6:15 p.m. today on KTCU 88.7.