OREM, Utah – Southern Utah women's basketball held off Utah Valley, 76-72, in its preseason match up.
The game tied at four and seven before a short jumper from Jessica Richardson and a three from Marquelle Funk gave the T-Birds a 12-7 lead. Utah Valley battled back as Southern Utah led just 16-14 before three layups from Jessica Richardson and a shot by Funk extended the T-Birds lead, 24-14. The momentum continued to roll as the Thunderbirds wrapped up a comfortable 38-23 lead at half.
The Thunderbirds wrapped up the first half with a 50% field goal percentage.
Utah Valley outscored Southern Utah 24-18 to open the second half to put the Wolverines back in the game as they trailed the T-Birds just 48-56. SUU responded with a three-point shot from Ashleigh Munns, a pair of free throws from Hailey Mandelko and a jumper from Jackson to give the T-Birds a 10-point lead with five minutes to go.
The Wolverines knocked in a layup and a single free throw with just little over two minutes remaining to creep within three points of SUU before a pair of free throws from Jackson gave SUU a five-point lead with 19 seconds remaining. Utah Valley bounced back with a jumper and a free throw to cut SUU's lead to two. Utah Valley fouled Jackson with three seconds left in the game. Jackson drained both free shots, leaving the Thunderbirds with a 76-72 win over Utah Valley at the buzzer.
Desiree Jackson led the Thunderbirds with 19 points as Mandelko added 16. Funk picked up eight assists and nine rebounds.
Southern Utah will face Air Force Academy and UC Davis this weekend in the Air Force Tournament. The Thunderbirds will take on AFA on Friday, Dec. 5, before matching up against UC Davis on Saturday, Dec. 6.
