Slow Start Leads to 59-48 Defeat for the Thunderbirds in Macomb

MACOMB, Ill. - Jan. 5 - Southern Utah struggled to find its shot early in the game, digging an early hole and ultimately falling 59-48 to Western Illinois on Monday night. The loss drops the Thunderbirds to 5-9 on the season and 1-3 in Summit League play. Western Illinois moves to 4-10 and 2-1 in league play.

Southern Utah had a second-consecutive slow start on the road, struggling to find the bottom of the net over the first nine minutes of the game while going 0-of-12 from the field and committing five turnovers.

The slow start gave the Westerwinds a 9-0 lead during that span, but cold T-Bird shooting throughout the period gave WIU a 30-14 lead going into the break.

In the second half, Southern Utah rode on the shoulders of sophomore Challis Pascucci as she scored 12 of her team-high 14 points over the final 20 minutes. Freshman Dani Hosking also came on in the second half, scoring seven of her ten points down the final stretch, including two 3-point field goals.

Despite the effort, SUU wasn't able to get any closer than 11 as the Thunderbirds finished the game with a 7-0 run, making the score 48-59 at the final whistle.

WIU's Katy Clark led all scorers with 17 points with Pascucci pulling down a game-high nine rebounds.

Southern Utah will return to the Centrum Arena in its next conference game when the Thunderbirds host the Kangaroos of UMKC on Saturday, Jan. 10. Tip-off for that game is scheduled for 5:00 p.m.

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Players Mentioned

#14 Dani Hosking: G; 5' 8"; Freshman

#24 Challis Pascucci: F; 6' 2"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

#14 Dani Hosking
: 5' 8"; Freshman
: G

#24 Challis Pascucci
: 6' 2"; Sophomore
: F

Players Mentioned

#14 Dani Hosking

#24 Challis Pascucci

Players Mentioned

#14 Dani Hosking

#24 Challis Pascucci