CEDAR CITY, Utah – Southern Utah couldn't keep a handle on Northern Colorado's hot shooting, which resulted in a 66-88 loss. UNCO outscored SUU by just one point in the second half, but an explosive 49-28 first half sealed the win.
“We came out with an aggressive mindset defensively, but once they hit a couple threes we got over aggressive,” head coach Chris Boettcher said. “When they are (UNCO) shooting as well as they were, it's a hard mindset for us to break.”
Brenna Gates led the Thunderbirds with 18 points as Desiree Jackson chipped in 16. Marquelle Funk totaled four assists as Jessica Richardson and Gates each finished with seven rebounds. Sydnee Taylor snagged two steals. Southern Utah shot 39.6% from the field as UNCO shot 53.6%, including 50% from beyond the arch.
“It was definitely frustrating,” Desiree Jackson said. “We're trying to get wins, get a seed in the tournament and keep our season going as long as possible. That loss really hurts but we're still fighting to get in the conference tournament. Once you get there, anything can happen.”
Northern Colorado made an 8-0 run to open the game before a single free throw from Funk and a three-point play by Gates placed Southern Utah within six. The Bears crept ahead before Jackson put in a bucket and Gates poured in a free throw and a layup to keep the Thunderbirds in the game.
The Bears held a nine-point advantage before Jackson drained a three and drive to cut the difference to six. Hot shooting continued for Jackson, as she drained a second three to pull the Thunderbirds within 6, at 19-25. UNCO knocked in a three before Ashleigh Munns quickly responded with a trey. The Bears took a 12-point run before Taylor broke Southern Utah's drought with a pair of free throws. Funk executed a drive and Jessica Richardson put in a jumper to wrap up the opening half trailing the Bears, 28-49.
“They hit a lot of shots tonight but we needed to execute differently (defensively),” Marquelle Funk said.
Jackson led the Thunderbirds in the opening half with 10 points, including 2-3 from beyond the arch. Gates and Munns added six and five, respectively. Richardson and Funk each finished the opening half with two assists. Southern Utah shot 36% from the field as UNCO shot 58.1%, including 8-13 from the three-point line.
Jackson knocked in a three-pointer to put Southern Utah's first points of the second half on the board before Munns finished a drive and Gates knocked in a three to remain at a 21-point disadvantage. The Bears led by 25 before Gates drained a short jumper, Donna Koerber put in a drive to cut the Bear's lead to 21. Funk nailed back-to-back three's before Jackson put in a free throw and Richardson put in two to keep Southern Utah's scoring rolling.
Funk forced a turnover and finished a fast break to place the T-Birds within 16. The Bears held a 69-50 lead before Gates put in five-straight points, Richardson knocked in a single free throw and Funk finished a pair of free throws to force a 14-point game. Taylor drained a short corner jumper with just over four minutes to play before Gates put in two points from the charity strike. Southern Utah couldn't catch up, resulting in a 66-88 loss.
“With a few losses in a row, it's easy for the girls to get frustrated and down,” Boettcher said. “But we're still fighting for something and an opportunity to keep playing. There is still a lot to play for and we're playing to get better.”
Southern Utah will host North Dakota for senior night on Saturday, Feb. 28, at 7 p.m.
