CEDAR CITY, Utah– Following their first loss of the season on Saturday, the Southern Utah University women's basketball team will be looking to get back on track Monday night against former Big Sky rival Eastern Washington University at Reese Court in Cheney.
Game Info
Southern Utah @ Eastern Washington
Location: Cheney, Washington
Date: November 14th
Tip-off: 7 p.m. MT
Venue: Pavilion (Reese Court)
TV: ESPN +
Live Stream Live Stats
LAST TIME OUT
After opening up their season with two wins at home the Thunderbirds dropped their first game to the Gonzaga Bulldogs 91-38 in Spokane at the McCarthey Athletic Center.
Lizzy Williamson led the way for the Thunderbirds, recording a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Daylani Ballena also hit double digits, scoring 13 points with three assists and three steals.
Megan Jensen scored on the opening possession for the T-Birds. Following this, Gonzaga would heat up, leading 31-8 after the first quarter. The momentum seemed to be in their favor, as Gonzaga would continue their dominant play into the second quarter, leading 52-15 at the half.
The Thunderbirds competed well in the third quarter. Cherita Daugherty had a pair of buckets, and Ballena and Williamson each had three points to pace the Thunderbirds during this period. The Zags would play well in the fourth, ultimately coming away with a 91-38 victory.
ABOUT THE EAGLES (2-0)
Eastern Washington enters Monday's game with an undefeated record after dominating Corban University at home before heading into Boise State and topping the Broncos 83-74.
Second-year head coach Jodie Gleason leads the Eagles after finishing with a 9-21 overall record last year in the Big Sky Conference.
2021-2022 Big Sky Freshman of the Year Jaydia Martin has led the way for the Eagles this season. Martin has put together an impressive first two games leading the scoring with 17 points in both games and seven total assists. Freshman Aaliyah Alexander follows Martin averaging 14.5 points in her first two contests.
LAST TIME AGAINST THE EAGLES
Southern Utah swept the season series against the Eagles in 2021. In their last matchup on February 5th, the Thunderbirds controlled every statistical category on the way to a 55-38 victory.
SUU outshot the Eagles 36 percent to 23 percent and converted 76 percent of their free throws to just 46 percent for EWU. SUU also dominated the rebounding battle 49-33, including a 34-19 advantage on the defensive glass. Bench points and points in the paint also played a key role in the win with SUU earning 17-10 and 28-20 advantages.
Darri Dotson led the T-Birds with a double-double in the form of 13 points and 12 rebounds. Cherita Daugherty and Lizzy Williamson also both contributed solid performances. Daugherty also finished with double figures with 11 points, with seven rebounds and Willamson recorded nine points and eight rebounds.
NOTES ON THUNDERBIRDS
Daylani Ballena has recorded a team-leading 14.3 points per game and six assists this season. Lizzy Willamson has been a force down low averaging 13.7 points per game and ten rebounds. Tomekia Whitman has already asserted her presence in the T-Bird lineup averaging 11.7 points and seven rebounds.
In her first game as Thunderbird against New Mexico, Tomekia Whitman recorded a team-high 20 points with 12 rebounds and two steals. Williamson racked up 19 points on 9 of 10 shooting with 13 rebounds and three blocks.
These two teams have met several times before, with the Thunderbirds trailing the series 7-10. SUU is riding high, winning the last four meetings.
Monday's matchup will be the second time this season that the Thunderbirds will take on a former Big Sky foe as they will battle Northern Arizona on December 3rd.
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