CHENEY, Washington – Southern Utah's defense couldn't seem to control Eastern Washington's hot shooting, resulting in an 88-67 Big Sky loss with one game remaining before the Thunderbirds return home. SUU hung with the Eagles early in the game before EWU exploded offensively for a 52-point first half.
Ashleigh Munns led the Thunderbirds with 13 points with Desiree Jackson and Marquelle Funk each contributing nine. Southern Utah shot 41.4% from the field, 30.8% from beyond the arch and 75% from the free-throw line in the loss.
The Eagles took an early lead to launch the game before Southern Utah fought back with a layup from Brenna Gates and a three-pointer from Funk to tie the game at five. Eastern Washington enjoyed a six-point run before a layup from Munns pushed the Thunderbirds within four. EWU responded with a 12 point run before extending its lead to 17 just 10 minutes into the opening half.
A pair of free throws from Jackson and back-to-back layups from Gates placed Southern Utah within 13. The Eagles exploded ahead to capture a 19-point lead before Donna Koerber knocked in a layup, Jackson hit a three and Sydnee Taylor nailed a jumper to creep within 14. Jackson and Funk each finished a pair of free throws to enter halftime with an 18-point deficit.
Jackson and Funk led the Thunderbirds with nine points each as Gates added six. Jackson finished the half with four assists and Funk added a block.
Southern Utah shot 46.2% from the field, 40% from the three-point line and 80% from the charity strike in the opening half.
Munns got the Thunderbirds rolling in the second half with a trey before the Eagles quickly responded with a nine-point run. Munns ended EWU's run with a second three-pointer, a layup and a free throw to cut the Eastern Washington's lead to 19. Eastern Washington took another rally before Koerber hit a jumper and Jessica Richardson finished a layup to hang within 20 points of EWU.
The Eagles held a 23-point lead before a jumper from Madison Wright, a layup from Iva Georgieva and a second jumper from Wright cut EWU's lead to 17. Eastern Washington held a 22-point lead with 3:07 to play before Sarah McGee finished a pair of free throws followed by a Richardson layup to cut the gap to 18. The Thunderbirds put up a single point in the final two minutes as they fell to Eastern Washington, 88-67.
Southern Utah will round out its road trip by taking on the University of Idaho on Saturday, Feb. 19.
