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Men's Basketball 11/9/2011 5:30:00 AM SUU Strategic Communication

Southern Utah Knocks off Colorado Mesa, 68-60

CEDAR CITY, Utah, Nov. 8 – Southern Utah claimed a 68-60 victory over visiting Colorado Mesa Tuesday. With the win the Thunderbirds post a perfect record of 2-0 in exhibition play after a 16-point defeat of St. Martin's to open the year.

“At this point every game is a lesson and these two games have been very good for us,” stated head coach Roger Reid. “There were times when we had to have a big play and we were able to get things done and make something happen.”

Colorado Mesa jumped out to an early advantage in the game as senior center Michael Bear scored back-to-back baskets to start the game and secure a 4-0 lead for the visitors. The two sides would then alternate baskets until an SUU run capped by a lay-up from Matt Massey and a break away dunk for Ray Jones Jr. evened the score at 11. The Mavericks went on to outscore the Thunderbirds by 13-6 over the next five minutes of play to go ahead by a count of 24-17.

A jumper from Ramell Taylor and a dunk by Jackson Stevenett helped Southern Utah pull the score even at 24 as the T-Birds tallied seven straight points. After the two teams traded baskets they were level once again at 28-28 with two and a half minutes left until the break. Colorado Mesa then scored the final five points of the half to take a 33-28 lead into the locker room.

Southern Utah was slightly off-the-mark shooting the ball in the early ongoing, converting just 10 of its first 30 field goal attempts. On the other side the Mavericks were able to work the ball inside early on and ended the opening period with 16 points in the paint while shooting 50 percent from the floor. The Mavs also held the advantage on the glass at the break, collecting 19 rebounds to the T-Birds 14.

Colorado Mesa was able to hold onto the lead early in the second half, but near the 11-minute mark Southern Utah emphatically took a 41-39 lead as Jordan Johnson stole the ball and drove in for an easy lay-up. From that point on the Thunderbird defense dictated the game as SUU built up its lead to as many as eight points down the stretch. The T-Birds forced Mesa to commit 23 turnovers in the game and converted those take-aways into 24 points.

“Jordan Johnson turned the game around with his defense,” explained Reid. “His defensive pressure helped our offense and his effort got other guys playing harder on defense.”

Jones also stepped-up in the second half, scoring 11 points to finish with a game high 19. The senior point guard also recorded three steals and four assists in the contest. Three other players finished the night in double figures for SUU, including Stevenett who scored 14 to go with his team high seven rebounds, Massey who chipped in 12 and Wade Collie who came off the bench for 11.

“Ray gives us great leadership on the court, but at times he might be trying too hard,” commented head coach Roger Reid after the game. “We need him to do a better job finishing, either drawing fouls or scoring the ball. We are asking a lot of him, but we know that he is very capable.”

Colorado Mesa exhibited strong post play as centers Chandler Burgon and Bear combined for 32 points and 11 rebounds. Freshman guard Mike Melillo also had a solid game for the Mavs, turning in 12 points and seven rebounds.

Southern Utah will open its regular season schedule this weekend at the BTE Classic in San Diego. The Thunderbirds will face UC Davis on Friday at 5:30 p.m., followed by a match-up with tournament host San Diego State at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday and then wrap things up against Bryant University on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. All three games will be broadcast on Power 91.

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Players Mentioned

#34 Matt Massey: C; 6' 9"; Redshirt Sophomore

#21 Jackson Stevenett: F; 6' 5"; Freshman

#5 Ray Jones, Jr.: PG; 6' 2"; Junior

#13 Ramell Taylor: SF; 6' 6"; Junior

#32 Wade Collie: SF; 6' 6"; Sophomore

#25 Jordan Johnson: G; 6' 3"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#34 Matt Massey
: 6' 9"; Redshirt Sophomore
: C

#21 Jackson Stevenett
: 6' 5"; Freshman
: F

#5 Ray Jones, Jr.
: 6' 2"; Junior
: PG

#13 Ramell Taylor
: 6' 6"; Junior
: SF

#32 Wade Collie
: 6' 6"; Sophomore
: SF

#25 Jordan Johnson
: 6' 3"; Junior
: G