CEDAR CITY, Utah – Southern Utah women's basketball took a late run in the final minutes to snag a tight 74-72 win over Westminster.

Westminster led 7-6 before back-to-back threes from Marquelle Funk and Hailey Mandelko followed by a three-point play from Desiree Jackson earned the Thunderbirds a 15-7 jump over the Griffins just five minutes into the game.

The Griffins took a five-point run to creep within two points of the Thunderbirds before a drive from Mandelko and layups from both Brenna Gates and Jackson extended SUU's lead to seven.

A six-point Griffin run tied up the game at 34 before a three-point play from Mandelko regained SUU's lead. Westminster responded with a three-pointer and short-jumper to take a two-point lead to round out the first half, 39-37.

Mandelko led the first half with 13 points and four assists. Jackson and Gates each chipped in six points.   

“They were a good team and they put up a good fight,” Desiree Jackson said. “I feel like we didn't play as great throughout the whole game so that was one of our bigger issues.”

Westminster extended its lead to launch the second half before Mandelko and Funk each drained a three-pointer to tie up the game at 43.  The Thunderbirds knocked in two jumpers to seal a four-point lead, 47-43.

Southern Utah fell behind 51-54 before Jackson dropped a three-pointer to tie up the game at 54. Back-to-back threes from Ashleigh Munns placed the Thunderbirds with a one-point lead with six minutes remaining.

Iva Georgieva nailed a three-pointer with 1:13 remaining to cut the Griffin's lead to two. Southern Utah kept the scoring rolling as Jackson finished a fast break to tie the game at 72.

Mandelko was fouled on a drive to the basketball with 2.2 seconds remaining before she tacked in both free throws to clench a two-point win for the Thunderbirds, 74-72.

“I'm really focused on our team getting better. I just want us to execute,” head coach Chris Boettcher said. “In the last two minutes we did exactly what we talked about.”

Gates racked up 11 rebounds for Southern Utah with Mandelko leading the game in scoring with 26.

Southern Utah will travel to Spokane, Wash. on Dec. 16 as they tip off against Gonzaga at 2 p.m.