Taking on NAIA program Life Pacific, the SUU Thunderbirds overcame a sluggish start to notch their first win of the Rob Jeter era, 108-75.
Southern Utah got the scoring started in the game, with a Dominique Ford three-pointer 17 seconds in that put the home team in front.
The T-birds had extended the lead to nine after nearly seven minutes of action (18-9), but Life Pacific (1-2) responded with a 5-0 run, cutting the lead to 18-14.
SUU took its first double-digit lead with a 6-0 spurt in response – helped by four consecutive free throws – to make it 24-14.
The Warriors answered back once again, scoring seven of the next eight points to trim the home team’s lead to four, 25-21.
Southern Utah would not allow the score to get any closer from there, using a 9-0 run highlighted by a Zion Johnson three-pointer to jump ahead 34-21 with just under six minutes remaining in the first half.
The Thunderbirds extended the lead even further in final minutes of the period, outscoring Life Pacific 18-6 to take a 25-point lead into the break, 52-27.
Second half
SUU began the second half much like it ended the first, scoring the opening six points to extend its advantage to 31 with 18:18 on the clock.
The Warriors were unable to mount a rally to make the game more enticing, never getting closer than 22 points.
The T-birds took their first 30-point lead with 11:31 to play (74-44) before ultimately cruising to a 108-75 victory.
Following a slow start, Southern Utah ended up dominating in all facets of the game.
SUU shot 59% from the field (39/66) in the victory, while also outrebounding the Warriors 48-22. The Thunderbirds also managed to force 17 turnovers and with the battle of the bench units (37-22).
Six T-birds notched double figure points in the win, led by 22 from Prophet Johnson. Zion Young added 18 points and 5 rebounds for SUU, while Parsa Fallah nearly recorded a double-double (12 points, 8 rebounds).
Up next
SUU (1-1) will now travel to Cache Valley to face in-state foe Utah State (1-0) on Tuesday, Nov. 14.
The T-birds and Aggies will tip off at 7 p.m. MT and the game can be streamed on the Mountain West Network.
T-bird soccer clinches first conference tournament berth in 15 years
