CEDAR CITY, Utah -- The Thunderbird men's basketball team is headed out on the road for two-straight weeks, starting the stretch this weekend with contests against the Sacramento State Hornets (Thursday, February 13) and the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks (Saturday, February 15).
Last Time Out
When Southern Utah was last on the court, they knocked off Portland State to complete a season sweep of the Vikings.
Neither team started fast, as the T-Birds led 2-0 at the first media timeout. Things picked up before the second one was called, and SUU had built a 11-6 advantage.
From that point on the Thunderbirds were able to turn it on, and built up their lead to as many as 16. They took a 30-18 advantage into the halftime break.
Early in the second half the Vikings cut the Thunderbird lead down to five, but that didn't last long as the T-Birds built their lead up to as many as 24 with just over 10 minutes to play.
SUU held the lead throughout the rest of the contest, and ended up with a 85-57 victory.
The Thunderbirds shot 60 percent in the second half, hitting 18-of-30 from the field. They also shot 62 percent from behind the three-point line, hitting 8-of-13. The outscored PSU 55-37 in the final 20 minutes.
In the second half alone, Cameron Oluyitan scored 16 points on 6-of-7 shooting and 4-of-5 shooting from the free throw line.
Oluyitan finished with 24 points in 34 minutes.
Seeking History
Sitting at 14-9 on the season and 7-5 in Big Sky Conference play, the Thunderbirds are on pace for some accomplishments the program hasn't seen in a long time.
The last time the Thunderbirds finished the season with a winning record was 2006-07, when they went 16-14 on the year. Since the year 2000, the program has only experienced two winnings seasons (2000-01 and 2006-07).
The T-Birds have also never finished with a winning record in Big Sky Conference play. Their 9-11 conference mark last year was the best since joining the league in 2012.
The last time the program finished at least .500 in conference play was during the 2007-08 season while in the Summit League, going 9-9.
Also, with five more victoires, SUU head coach Todd Simon will be the second-winningest coach in the program's Division I history. Both Neil Roberts and Roger Reid are tied for second place currently with 54 victories. Simon secured his 50th career victory at SUU against Portland State.
Opponent Preview: Sacramento State Hornets (12-10, 5-8 Big Sky)
The Sacramento State Hornets will play host to the Thunderbirds after winning just one of their previous five contests. Tip-off in Sacramento on Thursday night is set for 8 p.m. MT.
The Hornets will enter the weekend sitting ninth in the Big Sky standings.
When the two teams met earlier this season, Southern Utah claimed the home contest 74-49.
Oluyitan was the leading scorer for the T-Birds, finishing the game with 19 points. Dre Marin dropped in 17, while John Knight III contributed 13 on 4-of-4 shooting from the field.
Osi Nwachukwu was the leading scorer for the Hornets, leading the team with 13 points. Joshua Patton finished the afternoon with 12.
Opponent Preview: Northern Arizona Lumberjacks (13-9, 7-6)
After splitting their last four contests, the Lumberjacks on Northern Arizona will host the T-Birds on Saturday after a Thursday rumble against Northern Colorado at home. Tip time in Flagstaff is set for 4 p.m. MT on Saturday.
Northern Arizona is one spot behind the T-Birds in the Big Sky standings, entering the weekend in fifth place.
Oluyitan finished the game with 22 points, hitting 7-of-9 from the field and 5-of-7 from behind the three-point line. Knight III finished with 18 points.
Both Cameron Shelton and Bernie Andre were major difference makers for the Lumberjacks, both scoring 19 points. Brooks DeBisschop finished with 12 and a team-high seven boards.
State of the Big Sky
Heading into the week, the Montana Grizzlies have reclaimed the top spot in the Big Sky with a 10-3 record. Eastern Washington has the same amount of losses at 9-3, but is just one win behind the two-time defending champions.
Northern Colorado sits in third with an 8-4 mark, followed by the T-Birds at 7-5.
Northern Arizona enters the week at 7-6, with Montana State right on their heels at 6-6.
Portland State and Weber State are both just one game below .500 at 6-7.
How To Watch / Listen / Follow Along
All Big Sky Conference games will be available to stream on both the PlutoTV App and www.WatchBigSky.com.
A link to live stats, live video and any available radio feeds will be available on www.suutbirds.com prior to tipoff.
Follow Us
Follow the Thunderbirds all season @SUUBasketball on Twitter and Instagram and by liking the Southern Utah Basketball page on Facebook.
Read all about the Thunderbirds on www.suutbirds.com.
Ticket Information
Season Tickets for the 2019-20 season, as well as single game tickets, are available for purchase at the America First Event Center Ticket Office and online at www.tbirdtickets.com.
