CHENEY, Wash. – Holding a 10-point lead heading into the final quarter, the Southern Utah University women's basketball team turned up its defensive intensity, holding Eastern Washington scoreless until the 3:53 mark and going on to win by a score of 55-38 Saturday afternoon on the Eagles' home court.
The Thunderbirds improved to 13-7 on the season with the victory and 9-2 in league play. Eastern Washington dropped to 4-16 overall for the year and 2-9 in the Big Sky. The win gave SUU a much-needed bounce back to stay atop the Big Sky standings after dropping its last game.
"I'm proud of the way we responded and came together today," said SUU head coach Tracy Sanders. "We definitely didn't shoot the ball well, but we got it done on the defensive end by holding them to just 38 points. That's how you win on the road."
Southern Utah dominated nearly every statistical category on the night on the way to victory. The T-Birds outshot the Eagles with 36 percent to their 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, respectively.
Individually, Darri Dotson led the way for the Thunderbirds with a double-double in the form of 13 points and 12 rebounds. Cherita Daugherty was the other T-Bird in double figures with 11 points to go with seven rebounds. Lizzy Williamson turned in a solid performance on both ends of the floor with nine points and eight rebounds in addition to three steals and a block. Natalia Otkhmezuri connected from the 3-point line twice on the way to scoring eight points.
The Thunderbirds found themselves in a hole early, down 13-4 late in the first quarter. SUU gradually found its way back into the game and took the lead, but both teams struggled to score as Southern Utah led 23-19 at halftime. Both teams struggled to score to start the second half, but SUU converted enough looks to go up by 10 heading into the final quarter.
SUU's defense kept up the pressure in the final stanza of the game, and the offense produced a 9-2 run which gave the Thunderbirds enough room to operate and close out the game. Eastern Washington's offense finally showed signs of life in the closing minutes, but could get no closer than 13 points.
The T-Birds will finally return to the friendly confines of the America First Event Center on Monday, February 7, to open a much-needed, three-game homestand. SUU will host Montana at 6:30 p.m. MT.
For all the latest on Southern Utah women's basketball, follow @SUUWBasketball on Twitter and Instagram, and like the Southern Utah Women's Basketball Facebook page.
