Both Southern Utah University basketball programs were in action on Saturday, with the men picking up a home win over Florida International while the women lost a tough road contest at Jacksonville State.
Here are recaps of both games, beginning with the men’s basketball team’s victory over Florida International.
Men’s basketball
The first half was a back-and-forth affair, as neither side led by more than five points. The T-birds ended the half with a strong play, getting a steal and finishing the half up 36-34 courtesy of a tomahawk dunk by Jamari Sibley.
BUZZER BEATING DUNK 🤯 pic.twitter.com/RWYC7n96KC
— SUU Men's Basketball (@SUUBasketball) November 10, 2024
The second half was similar to the first, with either team able to create distance and take a large lead.
Just past the halfway point, SUU took its first double-digit lead of the game (61-51) before pushing its advantage to 13 (69-56) with just over four minutes left.
Southern Utah seemed to be on its way to a comfortable victory, but the Panthers would cut the home team’s lead down to four (77-73) with 37 seconds to play. However, an SUU layup from Jeffrey Langston Jr. with 24 seconds would be enough to secure the win, as the T-birds closed out an 807-5 victory to improve to 2-0.
Louisville transfer Hercy Miller led the T-birds on offense, notching 18 points off the bench. Tavi Jackson added 17 points and 9 rebounds in the win, while Jamir Simpson chipped in 16 points.
The Thunderbirds struggled from the three-point line in the game (16.7 percent), but still managed to make 54.3 percent of their shots overall (25-of-46). Southern Utah also lost the turnover battle (24-15) but was able to force 27 FIU fouls, creating 42 free throw attempts (28-of-42).
Coach Jeter postgame
Up next
SUU (2-0) hosts the Bethesda University Flames (CA) on Tuesday, Nov. 12.
The T-birds and Flames – a National Christian College Athletic Association member – will face off at 6:30 p.m. MT. The game can be seen on ESPN+.
Women’s basketball
The T-birds scored the first points of the game with a three-pointer, but it was all Jacksonville State from there. JSU answered with a 19-4 run, taking a 19-7 lead to end the first quarter.
Southern Utah fought back in the second period, using a 5-0 run to cut the deficit down to four (27-23) with just under four minutes to play in the half. The Gamecocks answered back to push the lead back to nine heading into the halftime break (34-25).
Jacksonville State’s late first-half momentum carried into the third quarter, as the Gamecocks outscored the T-birds 21-18 in the period to extend their lead to 55-43. The deficit would be too much to overcome in the final quarter, as JSU closed out a 77-58 win.
Daylani Ballena led SUU in the game, scoring a team-high 16 points. Ava Uhrich added a near-double-double of 9 points and 8 rebounds.
Southern Utah struggled from the field in the loss, shooting just 40.2 percent (21-of-52), including a mere 27.3 percent from three (6-of-22). The T-birds also lost the turnover battle (18-9) and allowed 51 points to the Gamecocks’ bench.
With the defeat, SUU drops to 0-2 and is still in search of its first win of the season.
Up next
Southern Utah (0-2) travels to battle Fresno State of the Mountain West Conference on Wednesday, Nov. 13.
The T-birds and Bulldogs will tip off at 7 p.m. MT.
