Tipping off the 2023 College Basketball Invitational, Southern Utah rolled to a big win to advance to the quarterfinals.
The first half was a back-and-forth affair, as North Alabama jumped out to a 27-16 lead with just over eight minutes remaining in the opening frame.
SUU kept the game close, however, ending the half on an 18-7 run, capped by a Tevian Jones three-pointer with seven seconds on the clock to tie the score at 34 heading to halftime.
After ending the opening 20 minutes on a big run, the T-birds continued to march on in the second half. SUU scored the first eight points of the frame to take a 42-34 lead.
After a bucket by the Lions ended the run, Southern Utah responded by scoring four straight points to take its first double-digit lead just under five minutes into the half, 46-36.
North Alabama tried to keep the contest close, cutting the deficit to seven with nine minutes to play.
The T-birds responded yet again, answering with a 16-2 run to take the 66-45 lead and put the game out of reach. SUU closed out the final minutes to secure the 72-50 runaway victory.
The T-birds’ defense held the Lions to just 29.9% shooting (20-67), including just 18.9% in the second half.
Jason Spurgin recorded a double-double for Southern Utah, scoring 16 points while pulling down a game-high 17 rebounds. Cameron Healy added 15 points, knocking down 5-of-8 three-pointers.
Up next
SUU (23-12) will now face the winner of the matchup between No. 5 Duquesne and No. 12 Rice in the quarterfinals.
The game will take place on Monday, March 20 at 12 p.m. MT and can be seen on FloHoops.
