ROCHESTER, Mich. - Southern Utah University could not overcome a slow start and
dropped its Summit League opener at Oakland University 68-39 Thursday
afternoon. Senior forward Challis Pascucci and freshman Andrea Jones each
scored 10 points the Thunderbirds (2-5, 0-1 Summit League).
Early turnovers led to a 16-4 lead for
Oakland (4-3, 1-0 Summit League) but the Thunderbirds battled back as Sears hit
a baseline jumper and Goff followed with a three from the right corner to make
it a 16-7 ball game at the 11:57 mark.
The Golden Grizzlies later hit a pair of
wide-open threes before Pascucci connected with back-to-back baskets to cut it
to 26-16 but Oakland continued to capitalize on the SUU turnovers. Jones would
hit a three in the left corner to again make it a 10-point game but OU would
close the half with a 10-3 run and own a 36-19 lead at the break.
SUU was held to 29% shooting in the first 20
minutes and owned a 18-17 rebound advantage but Oakland's 38% shooting gave
them the lead at half time.
Pascucci opened the second half with a layin
but Oakland answered with an 8-0 mark to open its lead to 23 and never look
back. Jones highlighted the Thunderbirds in the second half with seven points
has SUU was held to 20% shooting in the second period.
The Golden Grizzlies were led by Bethany
Watterworth with 23 points as Oakland shot an even 50% in the game and scored
19 points off of 19 SUU turnovers.
Southern Utah continues on the road with a
stop in Fort Wayne, Ind. to face IPFW at 4 p.m. (EST) on Saturday.
