Women's Basketball 11/26/2011 4:30:00 AM SUU Strategic Communication

Southern Utah Edged by North Dakota at Thanksgiving Classic

LAS CRUCES, N.M. Nov. 25 – Southern Utah was once again denied its first win of the season on Friday as the Thunderbirds were narrowly edged by North Dakota at the Aggie Hotel Encanto Thanksgiving Classic hosted by New Mexico State University. The game proved to be a tightly contested matchup as the lead changed hands 10 times over the course of the action until the Fighting Sioux were ultimately able to hold off the T-Birds in the final minutes for a 62-61 victory.

Southern Utah did most of the scoring early on as freshman point guard Hailey Mandelko sank a pair of free throws and a three to help the Thunderbirds build a 10-2 lead. North Dakota was held without a field goal until Megan Lauck connected on a jumper near the 12-minute mark. Lauck's basket would be the first two of 16 straight for the Fighting Sioux who went up 18-10.

SUU battled back in the final five minutes, outscoring North Dakota by a count of 11-7 heading into the break, to cut the deficit to four at 25-21.

The T-Birds continued their run in the second half as forward Carli Moreland tallied eight points in the first six minutes to help SUU take the lead at 31-30. The second period would be tightly contested as both sides went back-and-forth until another free throw from Moreland leveled the score at 48 with seven minutes remaining. Then after a pair of North Dakota lay-ups by Emily Evers and Brianna Williams the Fighting Sioux found themselves up by a six-point advantage, leading SUU 55-49.

Southern Utah was able to narrow the margin to one at 55-56 following a jumper by DJ Norman and a lay-up from Marquelle Funk, but the Fighting Sioux answered with a 6-1 run that included back-to-back lay ups from Emily Evers to stretch their lead back to six. Trailing North Dakota 62-56, with just under two minutes remaining, the T-Birds quickly rallied with a lay up from Moreland and free throws by Mandelko and Kimie Hawkins. Following a missed free throw SUU took possession of the ball down by one with 1:10 left on the clock. The T-Birds were unable to notch the go-ahead basket in the final moments however, as UND held on for the 62-61 victory.

The Thunderbirds had two players post double doubles in the game as Hawkins finished with 12 points and 11 rebounds while Moreland went for 15 and pulled down 11 boards. As a team SUU outworked UND on the glass, leading the opposition by a final count of 44-39. The T-Bird defense also forced the Fighting Sioux to commit 23 turnovers, which they were able to convert into 19 points.

North Dakota demonstrated a balanced scoring attack led by Nicole Smart and Emily Evers who finished with 12 and 11 points respectively. Evers also recorded six rebounds and two blocked shots in the contest.

With the win North Dakota in now 3-1 on the year and will look to improve its record as it takes on tournament host New Mexico State tomorrow at 4:00 p.m. The Thunderbirds will have a day off as they prepare for a matchup with the Aggies on Sunday at 12:00 p.m. (MST) Live stats for the game will be available on www.SUUTBIRDS.com.

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Players Mentioned

#45 Marquelle Funk: G; 6' 0"; Redshirt

#34 Kimie Hawkins: F; 5' 11"; Junior

#23 Hailey Mandelko: G; 5' 8"; Freshman

#15 Carli Moreland: F; 6' 1"; Sophomore

#10 DJ Norman: G; 5' 9"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

#45 Marquelle Funk
: 6' 0"; Redshirt
: G

#34 Kimie Hawkins
: 5' 11"; Junior
: F

#23 Hailey Mandelko
: 5' 8"; Freshman
: G

#15 Carli Moreland
: 6' 1"; Sophomore
: F

#10 DJ Norman
: 5' 9"; Sophomore
: G