Skip To Main Content

Southern Utah University Athletics

SOUTHERN UTAH THUNDERBIRDS
T-Birds Set for Pair of Road Contests

Women's Basketball SUU Strategic Communication

Thunderbirds Edged by Western Illinois

CEDAR CITY, Utah – Feb. 13 – Western Illinois used a late surge to take a 76-70 win over Southern Utah Monday night. In a contest that saw a dozen lead changes, the Leathernecks were able to outscore the Thunderbirds 9-4 over the final two minutes to come out on top.

Neither team was able to gain much of an advantage early on both sides matched each other basket-for-basket. Then halfway through the period a pull-up jumper by Andrea Jones started a 10-0 SUU run that eventually saw the T-Birds go up 27-17.

Two straight threes from Saule Kontautaite would help the Leathernecks get back within four, but another jumper for Jones pushed the SUU advantage to 29-23 with 6:21 left in the half. The Leathernecks rallied with a run sparked by back-to-back baskets by Michele Salvatori that gave Western Illinois a one-point edge, but the Thunderbirds outscored the visitors 6-2 over the final two minutes to take a 36-33 score into the locker room.

The T-Birds shot the ball over 50 percent in the early going while outrebounding the Leathernecks by a count of 22-13 to start the game. Carli Moreland had a big half for SUU tallying 15 points and pulling down eight rebounds.

Moreland then added two more quick baskets early in the second half to help Southern Utah up its advantage to six at 41-35. Western Illinois was able to answer once again however as Valencia Kelly scored six points during a 12-2 streak to put the Leathernecks out in front 47-43.

The Thunderbirds battled back over the next nine-minutes and eventually took a two-point lead on a pair of free throws by Kimie Hawkins. The two teams then went back-and-forth once again until a three-pointer by Kontautaite gave the Leathernecks a 70-66 edge with just under two minutes left to play. WIU was then able to hold off SUU in the final moments to come out on top by a score of 76-70.

Southern Utah took the loss despite holding a 42-27 advantage on the boards and converting 23-of-26 shots at the free throw line to just 16-18 for Western Illinois.

Moreland finished the game with 20 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Thunderbirds who got another 12 points and 10 boards from Hawkins. Jones  racked up 15 points while playing all 40 minutes for SUU. Kontautaite knocked down four three-pointers on her way to 18 points for the visitors.

“We were trying to go to Carli on most of our possessions,” said head coach JR Payne. “Kimie did a great job too, she is tenacious and crafty which makes her hard to keep off the glass.”

The win improves the Leathernecks conference record to 7-7 and their overall mark to 11-14. Southern Utah is now 6-20 on the year and 2-13 in the Summit League.

“At this point in the year and with the injuries we have had it would be easy for the girls to let-up but they haven't,” said Payne. “I'm proud of the way that they continue to fight and play hard.”

The Thunderbirds will play their final road games in the Summit League this week with trips set for Oakland and IPFW. SUU will matchup with the Golden Grizzlies this Saturday at 1:30 p.m. (MT) and then travel to Fort Wayne on Monday to take on the Mastodons at 5 p.m. (MT)


Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

Kimie Hawkins

#34 Kimie Hawkins

F
5' 11"
Junior
Andrea Jones

#5 Andrea Jones

G
5' 5"
Sophomore
Carli Moreland

#15 Carli Moreland

F
6' 1"
Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Kimie Hawkins

#34 Kimie Hawkins

5' 11"
Junior
F
Andrea Jones

#5 Andrea Jones

5' 5"
Sophomore
G
Carli Moreland

#15 Carli Moreland

6' 1"
Sophomore
F