FLAGSTAFF – Southern Utah women's basketball clenched a nine-point lead at halftime before Northern Arizona battled from behind to tie the game at 59 and force overtime. The Lumberjacks outscored the Thunderbirds 14-5 in OT to snag the rivalry win.
Jackson led the Thunderbirds with 16 points as Funk added 14. Jackson totaled five assists, three steals and a block in the loss. Southern Utah shot 30% from the field, 33% from the three-point line and 64% from the charity strike.
Ashleigh Munns got the game rolling, nailing a three-pointer less than a minute into the game before the Lumberjacks tied up the game at three. The game tied again at seven before a second and third Munns three-pointer pushed Southern Utah ahead, 13-9.
A layup from Marquelle Funk, four-straight points from Madison Wright and a Jessica Richardson jumper extended the Thunderbird's lead to eight with under five minutes to play in the first half.
NAU cut Southern Utah's lead to two with under a minute to play in the opening half before Funk drained two three-pointers with under 30 seconds remaining to enter halftime with a 31-23 Thunderbird lead.
Munns and Funk led the Thunderbirds in scoring in the first half with nine and eight, respectively. Desiree Jackson totaled three assists and two steals as the Thunderbirds shot 31% from the field and 55% from beyond the arch.
The Lumberjacks rallied back to launch the second half, outscoring the Thunderbirds 14-4 to clench a two-point lead. Funk nailed a three to regain SUU's lead. Brenna Gates drained a jumper before Emma Weinreich tacked in a pair of free throws to keep Southern Utah's lead.
Northern Arizona battled from behind to tie the game at 46 and 48 before free throws and a layup from Jackson placed the T-Birds ahead, 52-50. Both teams tied at 55 before SUU captured a 59-57 lead with three minutes to play. The final minutes were scoreless for the Thunderbirds as NAU hit a jumper to tie the game at 59 and force overtime.
The Lumberjacks knocked in a jumper just 18 seconds into overtime before a pair of free throws from Funk tied the game at 61. NAU enjoyed a run to clench a six-point lead with less than two minutes to play in OT. Northern Arizona dominated in extra minutes, earning a 73-64 rivalry victory.
Southern Utah will hit the road again to take on North Dakota on Feb. 5 and Northern Colorado on Feb. 7 before hosting Weber State on Feb. 12.
