Southern Utah Downs Dixie State in Exhibition, 71-59

Women's Basketball 12/30/2011 3:45:00 AM SUU Strategic Communication

T-Birds Come Up Short Against the 'Roos

KANSAS CITY, Mo., Dec. 29 – Southern Utah faced another tough road test on Thursday, this time against a conference opponent, as the Thunderbirds traveled to Kansas City to face the UMKC Kangaroos. SUU battled back from an early deficit to pull within a single basket of UMKC in the closing minutes of the first half, but the 'Roos scored the final seven points of the period and then carried that momentum into the second half as they ultimately pulled away for the 81-61 victory.

UMKC would jump out to an early advantage in the game's opening minutes after scoring eight of the game's first nine points while holding SUU to a single Carli Moreland free throw to build an 8-1 lead. Moreland and Kimie Hawkins would then tally back-to-back baskets for the T-Birds to cut the deficit to three before a lay-up by Jade Tinner started a 10-2 run for the home team that eventually saw the 'Roos go up by a count of 18-7.

The next five minutes were more in the Thunderbirds favor as jumpers from Hailey Mandelko and DJ Norman helped SUU cut the deficit down to five at 26-21. UMKC then scored four straight to stretch the margin back to nine, but Southern Utah responded with seven unanswered capped by a three-pointer by Mandelko that pulled the T-Birds within two at 30-28. Following a UMKC free throw by Dayon Hall-Jones and another free throw for Moreland, SUU trailed by only two with just under three minutes remaining in the first period. The 'Roos would go on to score seven unanswered points in the closing moments however to take a 38-29 lead into the break.

Hawkins helped fill the box score early on for SUU, finishing the half with nine points and seven rebounds. As a team Southern Utah struggled to shoot the ball in the first 20 minutes, going just 10-30 from the field.

Following the intermission UMKC tallied six quick points out of the locker room to extend its lead to 15 at 44-29. The 'Roos would then go on to outscore the Thunderbirds by a 25-11 count in the first 10 minutes of the second half to build their largest lead of the ball game with the score reading 63-40 in favor of the home team. Southern Utah made a strong effort to get back into the game, at one point trimming the margin down to 13 as Norman sank a pair of free throws to make the score 67-54. UMKC controlled the final five minutes however and was able to hold off SUU for an 81-61 final.

Kimie Hawkins recorded her first career double double for SUU in the loss, finishing with 11 points and 12 rebounds. Carli Moreland led the Thunderbirds in scoring with 15 points, while Mandelko chipped in 14, 12 of which came from behind the three-point line. The 'Roos would get 16 from both Kim Nezianya and Ashli Hill while Dayson Hall-Jones turned in 15 for UMKC.

With the win the 'Roos capture their first Summit League victory of the season to improve to 1-2 in conference play and 8-5 overall. Southern Utah is now 0-2 in its first league games of the year and drops to 4-8 on the season.

The Thunderbirds will continue their opening conference road trip with a visit to South Dakota (8-3, 1-2) this Saturday. The game will get underway in South Dakota at 1 p.m. (MST)

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Players Mentioned

#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

#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