FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. - The Southern Utah University women's basketball team picked up their first road win of the season Saturday night 60-57 over Northern Arizona.

After the Lumberjacks knocked down the first bucket of the night, the Thunderbirds opened the first quarter with a 6-0 run to quickly jump out to a 6-2 lead. They were able to maintain a lead for most of the opening quarter, extending their lead to 18-12 as Kiana Johnson came off the bench and hit a three and Skylee Doman laid in her first basket of the game in closing seconds of the quarter.

Southern Utah continued to keep the Lumberjacks at a distance in the second quarter, leading by as many as nine points and never letting their lead dip below three. Whitney Johnson had a big first half for the Thunderbirds putting up seven points from in the paint as SUU took a 31-27 lead into halftime.

As the teams came out and began the second half, it started to become clear that Rebecca Cardenas was going to be the difference maker for Southern Utah. The sophomore scored the first nine points of the quarter, pushing the Thunderbird lead to 11. The Lumberjacks rallied and were able to cut into the SUU lead, but were never able to catch up in the third.

Continuing to push, NAU was able to tie things up and eventually take a three-point lead with just under three minutes remaining in the game. However, Cardenas was not going to let this one slip past her as she scored the final six points in the game, giving the Thunderbirds the 60-57 victory.

Cardenas led all scorers in the game with 20 points, 17 of those coming in the second half. She also pulled down seven rebounds, had five steals, and dished out four assists. Whitney Johnson finished with seven points and eight rebounds on the night. Skylee Doman also pulled down seven rebounds while Breanu Reid dropped in eight points for the Thunderbirds.

The win over the Lumberjacks moves the Thunderbirds to 2-3 in Big Sky Conference play, already matching their total conference wins from last season.

The Lady T-Birds will hit the road once more next week as they take on the University of Idaho and Eastern Washington.

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