Southern Utah had four players score in double figures but lost Tyler Quinney to an ankle sprain and three more players fouled out Saturday night. As a result Utah Valley overcame a 10-point halftime deficit to send the Thunderbirds to their fourth straight loss, 78-72.
    SUU shot 61.9 percent in the first half when the T-Birds built leads as high as 13 before settling for a 42-32 edge at the break. Quinney had 12 points and John Clifford eight to lead the Thunderbirds in the half.
    Utah Valley outscored SUU 12-4 to open the second half, however, pulling to within 46-44 but the Thunderbirds regained control and led 55-49 with 12:17 to play when Quinney came down awkwardly going after a rebound.
    Quinney left the game and although the Thunderbirds were able to push their advantage to 57-49 with 11:02 to play Utah Valley held the Thunderbirds without a basket over the next five minutes. While the Thunderbirds were going scoreless the Wolverines ran off 14 points to build a 63-49 lead and during that time Clifford picked up his fifth foul.
    After Clifford went out Jake Nielson and Mike Josserand picked up their fifth fouls as well and the Wolverines were able to pull away and protect the lead.
    “We played 30 minutes of good basketball but you have to play 40,” SUU Coach Roger Reid said. “We played very well in the first half but they came out with more intensity in the second half, then when Tyler went down it almost seemed like some of the guys laid down. We've got to maintain intensity no matter what happens.”
    Davis Baker wound up the Thunderbirds' leading scorer with 21 points after scoring just four in the first half, while Quinney finished with 16. Clifford and Nielson each added 10.
    SUU was out-rebounded for just the fourth time this season, and by its biggest margin, as the Wolverines pulled down 31 rebounds, including 17 offensive boards, to 19 for the Thunderbirds.
    “They played with more intensity and desire than we did,” Reid said. “They had 17 offensive rebounds and we only had 19 total, that shows they wanted it more than we did.”
    Josh Olsen led UVU with 24 points while Ryan Toolson finished with 22, 11 from the free throw line.