TULSA, Okla. - Feb. 25 - Southern Utah women's basketball dropped its
final road decision of the season at Oral Roberts on Monday night in a
71-42 defeat. The loss leaves the Thunderbirds winless on the road for
the second year in a row and with a 6-21 record for the year (4-12 in
conference play). Oral Roberts moved to 16-11 and 10-6 in The Summit
League.
The Thunderbirds opened the game and played the Golden Eagles toe-to-toe and were down by only one (14-13) with 12:40 showing on the clock. However, Oral Roberts used the next four minutes to pull together a 10-0 run that left the home team with their first double-digit lead of the game at 24-13. Southern Utah countered with a run of its own, rolling off five straight points as Jamie Sagers hit a 3-point basket followed by a jumper by Erin Heuett to bring the game to within 24-18 with 7:21 remaining until the half.
The teams matched baskets down the final stretch, but Oral Roberts found a few more opportunities and took a 35-24 advantage going into the break.
Southern Utah fell behind by a greater margin after the first five minutes of the season half as Oral Roberts outscored the Thunderbirds 15-4 in the beginning minutes following the intermission. The Golden Eagles maintained the 20-plus lead throughout the final half with SUU getting only as close as 18 (50-32) with 12 minutes to play.
In the end, ORU coasted to the 71-42 win as the final whistle sounded. Southern Utah was once again without starting point guard Kaila Goff who continues to nurse a knee injury.
Senior Erin Heuett led the Thunderbirds in scoring for the second game in a row with a team-high 13 points with freshman Caitlyn Sears behind her with ten. Oral Roberts' Jenny Hardin led all scorers with 16 and was joined in double-digits by teammates Mariana Camargo (14) and Janae Voelker with 12.
Southern Utah will close out the regular season at home this weekend when the Thunderbirds host IPFW and Oakland on Saturday and Monday. Tip-off for the game on Saturday with the Mastodons is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. with the game on Monday tipping off at 7:00 p.m. with the Golden Grizzlies.
