SUU women's basketball took down the Portland State Vikings on Thursday night 64-63. The Thunderbirds were led by Darri Dotson who was inducted into the 1,000 point club before game.

The Thunderbirds started off the game on defense with a Lizzy Williamson block before Portland State started the scoring with two layups and free throw to go up by five. Southern Utah answered back with eight points of their own including Dotson's first two points of the ballgame. Both teams traded blows through the rest of the first quarter with SUU just ahead 18-15 entering the second quarter. 

Natalia Otkhmezuri started the scoring in the second with a jumper from free throw range to run the Thunderbirds' lead to 5. The Vikings responded with seven points and took the lead again in back and forth period. In total, there were 10 lead changes in the period with SUU taking the final lead with just under seven minutes in the quarter. The score was 35-29 with the Thunderbirds leading going into halftime. 

Southern Utah added eight points in the third period before a two minute scoring drought from both sides before Dotson reignited the T-Birds on a jumper. Portland took charge of the quarter from there, outscoring the T-Birds 11-6 in the final five minutes of the period cutting SUU's lead to just four points. 

Portland State outscored the Thunderbirds by three points in the final quarter. With 1:14 left, Jada Lewis gave the Vikings the lead with a three pointer leading to a tense finale. Darri Dotson found herself at the line to tie the game with 44 seconds remaining on the clock sinking one of her shots. Portland State's Reilly Kelty had the chance to take the lead at the line but missed both her shots giving SUU the ball as time winded down. Kelty fouled Dotson just before time expired putting Dotson at the line to sink the game winning free throw.

Dotson finished the game with 17 points, second only to Williamson's 18. 

The Thunderbirds are back in action on Monday for a rematch against Portland State, this time in Oregon. Tip-off is set for 6:00 p.m. MST and will be streamed on ESPN+.

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