CEDAR CITY, Utah, Nov. 6 - Davis Baker scored 20 points and Dallin Bachynski came off the bench to chip in 14 as Southern Utah dominated the second half in taking 71-56 exhibition win over Adams State on Friday night.

            After struggling to a 29-28 lead at halftime, the Thunderbirds outscored ASC 42-28 in the second half when Baker scored 14 points and Bachynski and Matt Massey each scored seven. Massey finished with 11.

            Baker hit a 3-pointer to open the second half and the Thunderbirds pushed their advantage to 38-30 over the first four minutes and the Grizzlies didn't get back within six the rest of the way.

            SUU put the game away with a 9-0 run midway through the half, extending a 49-43 lead to a 58-43 lead. Bachynski started the run with a dunk, then converted a 3-point play to push the advantage to 54-43. Baker scored on a layup, then Scott Friel and Jake Nielson each hit free throws to give the Thunderbirds the 15-point edge.

            Although Southern Utah committed 22 turnovers, the T-Birds dominated the boards, out-rebounding the Grizzlies 41-21, and also held a 17-7 edge in assists. SUU hit 25-of-47 shots, 53.2 percent, while holding ASC to 15-of-48 shooting (31.3 percent).

            Baker had a game-high seven rebounds, while Bachynski had six and Massey and Frield each had five. Friel also led the team with five assists to go with two steals.           

            "We played a much better game tonight," SUU Coach Roger Reid said. "We played with more intensity in the second half and although we had way too many turnovers we played much better in every other phase of the game than we did [in a loss to Mesa State on Tuesday night].

            "Davis shot the ball well and Dallin came in a played well for us," Reid added. "Matt had another good game, he's looked good in both our games so far."

            The Thunderbirds officially open the season next Friday at Hawaii's Rainbow Classic.

-- SUU --