CEDAR CITY, Utah. The Southern Utah men's basketball team closes out a three-game homestand at the America First Event Center on Monday, Nov. 14 against Bethesda at 7 p.m. MT.
Monday is the final tune-up for the 'Birds before they embark on a trip to Lawrence, Kan. to face the reigning national champion Kansas Jayhawks on Friday, Nov. 18.
Head Coach Todd Simon Says...
Bethesda will be a different challenge for us. They are coming off playing a Mountain West team tough on Saturday and this will be our third game in five days. This will be a good test of our consistency and toughness.
Game Info
Southern Utah vs. Bethesda
Date: Monday, November 14
Tipoff: 7 p.m. MT
Broadcast: ESPN+
Last Time Out
The Southern Utah men's basketball squad won its second contest in a row with a scintillating performance to down Saint Katherine, 91-49, on Saturday, Nov. 12 at the America First Event Center. The conquest improved SUU's overall record to 2-1 on the season, while Saint Katherine fell to 0-4. That's the fourth win in the series against Saint Katherine as SUU now owns a 4-0 record against the Firebirds.
A trio of Thunderbirds scored double digits this evening with graduate student guard Cameron Healy leading all scorers with 15 points. Senior guard Tevian Jones and freshman guard Martel Williams each put up 12 points of their own in the dominant outing by the 'Birds.
Sophomore center Jason Spurgin nearly nabbed a double-double with nine points and nine rebounds as he led all rebounders. Meanwhile, senior guard Dee Barnes proved to be a pest defensively with four thefts.
Southern Utah owned Saint Katherine offensively, connecting on 50.8 percent of its shots by way of a 32-for-63 outing. That's the second consecutive contest eclipsing the 50-percent mark. SUU also connected on 14-of-39 three-pointers for a 35.9-percent rate. The Thunderbirds dominated on the glass, winning the rebounding battle 48-33.
Defensively, Southern Utah held Saint Katherine in check throughout the tilt. The Firebirds shot just 32.1 percent (18-56) and turned the ball over 22 times with SUU converting them into 33 points. SUU also owned the paint, outscoring Saint Katherine 32-18.
Quite possibly the most telling stat of just how much Southern Utah dominated this contest. SUU's bench (52) outscored Saint Katherine's team (48). That's the same points the bench tallied in its last contest against La Verne.
Bethesda Flames
The Flames have yet to win a contest this season with an 0-7 record thus far.
Graduate student guard Amar Ross led the way in the Flames' previous contest against San Jose State with 29 points. Ross also collected eight rebounds and four assists in 38 minutes of play.
Senior guard/forward Daniel Estes owned the glass with 12 rebounds, while also collecting four blocks against the Spartans. A year ago against Southern Utah, Estes put up 13 points and six rebounds coming off the bench for the Flames.
History
Southern Utah holds a 5-0 margin against Bethesda, nearly clearing the century mark in all five contests. SUU began playing Bethesda in 2016 with a 108-92 barn-burner on Nov. 18. Most recently, the T-Birds took down Bethesda last year on Nov. 9, 116-74.
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Tickets
Head on over to our online ticket store to purchase season, package and single-game tickets!
