Photo Courtesy of Montana Athletics

MISSOULA, Mont. - The Southern Utah women's basketball team continued Big Sky Conference play Thursday night in Missoula, Montana against the Lady Griz of the University of Montana. The Thunderbirds were not able to overcome a slow start as they dropped their twelfth straight contest, 64-55.

The T-Birds got off to a slow start shooting just 30 percent in the first half and scoring only 21 points. However, they were able to hold the Grizzlies to just 24 points to give themselves just a three-point deficit heading into halftime.

The Lady Griz offense exploded in the third quarter when they put up 24 points and took an 18-point lead over the Thunderbirds. The T-Birds answered back with 21 points in the fourth, but it wouldn't be enough as they fell 64-55.

Senior Jessica Richardson led the Thunderbird attack with 13 points and five rebounds. Junior Whitney Johnson was one rebound short of her third double-double of the season as she finished with 10 points and nine rebounds.

The Thunderbirds will continue their Montana road trip Saturday afternoon against the Montana State Bobcats. Tip off is set for 2:00 p.m.