Both Southern Utah basketball programs were in action Friday night, as the men’s team improved to 5-1 with a narrow road win and the women’s squad picked up their first victory of the season in a blowout at home.
Here are recaps of both games, beginning with the men’s basketball team’s victory over the San Diego Toreros.
Men’s basketball
Facing San Diego on the road, the men’s basketball team used a big 14-0 second half run to secure a close 72-67 victory.
Despite the close scoreline, the T-birds led nearly the entire way. The first half was back-and-forth, with neither team leading by more than six at any point. SUU made it a five-point lead with 1:11 to play in the half (32-27), but three straight free throws by San Diego made it a 32-30 game at halftime.
The opening minutes of the second half were similar to the first 20 minutes, with the Thunderbirds holding a slim lead (39-37) after four minutes. Southern Utah then found its stride, ripping off a 14-0 run – highlighted by four straight three-pointers – to push its lead to 53-37.
TAVI JACK MAKES IT A 12-0 RUN.
THUNDERBIRDS LEAD 51-37 pic.twitter.com/ZX0y8XcyJQ
— SUU Men's Basketball (@SUUBasketball) November 23, 2024
It wasn’t over, however, as the T-birds once again struggled to keep the game out of reach of their opponent in another game this season.
The Toreros answered with a 16-5 spurt to cut the deficit to five (58-53), but SUU was able to stay in front, pushing its lead back to nine with only 45 seconds to play (69-60).
San Diego was able to get the deficit down to four with 18 seconds on the clock, but a free throw and a Brock Felder block sealed the 72-67 win.
Jamir Simpson led the T-birds on offense, notching 20 points. Dominique Ford added 17 for SUU, making four shots from downtown.
Southern Utah was able to keep the Toreros’ offense in check, as the home team made just under 40 percent of its shots (25-of-63), including just 5-of-17 from three (29.4 percent).
Up next
The T-birds (5-1) will have a quick turnaround, staying in San Diego to battle Big Sky foe Idaho on Saturday, Nov. 23. Tip-off is scheduled for 3 p.m. MT
Women’s basketball
Facing NCCAA program Bethesda University (CA), the SUU women’s basketball team rolled to its first win of the season, 86-45.
The T-birds – who trailed for only 1:47 early in the game – took their first double-digit lead just under nine minutes into the opening period (19-8). Moments later, SUU took a 14-point advantage to the quarter break, 24-10.
Southern Utah continued to build its lead in the second frame, pushing its advantage to 20 with 6:35 on the clock (31-11). By the halftime break, the home team led by 27 (46-19).
The Thunderbirds took their first 30-point lead midway through the third quarter (58-28) and by the end of the period led by 33, 66-33.
SUU put the bow on the big win in the fourth period, outscoring Bethesda 20-12 to secure an 86-45 victory.
Tonight’s Play of the Game#TBirdNation ⚡️ #RaiseTheHammer pic.twitter.com/DeTVsHF3AO
— SUU Women’s Basketball (@SUUWBasketball) November 23, 2024
Facing a lower-tier opponent, the Thunderbirds dominated in multiple facets while winning their first game of the year. SUU took control of the paint (42-4), while also leading the way in fast break points (15-2), second-chance points (24-6), and bench points (44-0). The defense also had a fantastic game, limiting Bethesda to a mere 21.2 percent from the field (11-of-52) while forcing 18 turnovers.
Sydney Gandy led SUU in scoring, totaling 15 points. Ava Uhrich added 14 points for the T-birds, while Denver Anderson chipped in 10.
Coach Mason postgame
Up next
Southern Utah (1-5) will travel to Reno for the Nugget Classic over Thanksgiving weekend, facing three opponents in as many days.
The T-birds will first play WCC member Portland on Friday, Nov. 29 at 4 p.m. MT, before facing Nevada of the Mountain West on Saturday, Nov. 30 at 2 p.m. MT. SUU will wrap up the multi-team event on Sunday, Dec. 1 with a game against MAC member Central Michigan at 12 p.m. MT.
