Thunderbirds Come Up Just Short Against Oral Roberts

Men's Basketball 2/10/2012 5:08:00 AM SUU Strategic Communication

Thunderbirds Take 60-44 Win Over Western Illinois

CEDAR CITY, Utah – Feb. 9 – Junior forward Jackson Stevenett turned in his second career double-double to help Southern Utah take a 60-44 victory over visiting Western Illinois Thursday night. After a tight first half that ended with SUU clinging to a one-point lead, the Thunderbirds outscored the Leathernecks 37-22 down the stretch to win their fourth consecutive game at home.

“What a great effort by a team and unbelievable execution,” said SUU head coach Roger Reid. “We challenged the guys to play with more passion and energy and they showed great determination and effort tonight.”

The game was anticipated to be a defensive battle as Western Illinois came into the contest with the top scoring defense in the Summit League, while Southern Utah ranked fourth. The matchup lived up to its billing early on as the Thunderbirds held the Leathernecks to 1-7 shooting from the floor to start the game, but found themselves down 10-9 halfway through the period after scoring just one field goal on their first six attempts.

The scoring didn't pick up for either side during the remainder the first half, but SUU was able to close the period on a 6-2 run thanks to back-to-back baskets by Matt Massey and a pair of free throws from Damon Heuir to hold a 23-22 edge at the break.

Stevenett scored nine points in the opening period and Massey added eight more as the two combined for 17 of Southern Utah's first 23 points. Western Illinois got seven from both Obi Emegano and Ceola Clark in the first half.

“This is a tough team to play against because of their defense,” explained Reid. “There were times when Jackson was double or even triple-teamed but he still found ways to score.”

SUU picked things up in the second, opening the half with a 12-5 run to extend its advantage to 35-27 near the 15-minute mark after Stevenett added six more points to his scoring total.

The Leathernecks then battled back to tie the score at 40-40 as Emegano knocked down a free throw with 8:04 left on the clock. The final minutes would belong to the Thunderbirds however as SUU outscored its opponent 20-4 to close the game and come away with the 60-44 victory.

Stevenett was 8-11 from the floor in the game and 6-7 at the free throw line on his way to a game-high 22 points. The junior forward also set a new career-mark with 12 rebounds. Heuir finished with 10 points to go along with five assists and Massey had one of his best games of the year scoring 19 for the Thunderbirds.

“Matt has struggled a little recently but he had a great game tonight,” said Reid. “Not only did he play well on offense but he shut down one of their best players. It was great to see him play like that, especially in front of his family who came all the way from Australia.”

SUU held a 33-23 advantage on the boards in the contest and shot the ball 50 percent from the floor. The Thunderbird defense held Western Illinois to just four points in the final eight-minutes of the game and the Leathernecks final score of 40 points is the lowest total of any Southern Utah opponent this season.

Ceola Clark III scored 15 for Western Illinois to lead three Leathernecks who finished in the double-figures. The loss drops WIU to 7-7 in conference play and 13-10 overall.

Southern Utah now stands alone in the fourth-place spot in the Summit League standings and trails North Dakota State by just half a game with a record of 8-7. The win also pushes the Thunderbirds back over the .500 mark as they improve to 13-12 overall.

SUU will be back in the Centrum Arena this Saturday as it hosts IUPUI in a college basketball doubleheader. The T-Bird Women will open against the Jaguars at 5 p.m. followed by the Men's game at 7:30. (MT)

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Players Mentioned

#34 Matt Massey: C; 6' 9"; Senior

#3 Damon Heuir: G; 6' 2"; Senior

#21 Jackson Stevenett: F; 6' 4"; Senior

Players Mentioned

#34 Matt Massey
: 6' 9"; Senior
: C

#3 Damon Heuir
: 6' 2"; Senior
: G

#21 Jackson Stevenett
: 6' 4"; Senior
: F

Players Mentioned

#34 Matt Massey

#3 Damon Heuir

#21 Jackson Stevenett

Players Mentioned

#34 Matt Massey

#3 Damon Heuir

#21 Jackson Stevenett