ST. GEORGE, Utah– Lizzy Williamson had 18 points and 20 rebounds to lead the Southern Utah University women's basketball team over Utah Tech University, 62-51, sweeping the season series Thursday night at Burns arena. Trailing 49-45 at the end of the third quarter, the Thunderbirds locked down defensively, limiting the Trailblazers to just two points in the final period to clinch the victory. With the win, Southern Utah remains undefeated in conference play (10-7; WAC 6-0), while the Trailblazers fall to (12-6; WAC 4-3). 

Individual Leaders

• SUU commanded the boards all night, outrebounding the Trailblazers 54 to 42, including 17 offensive rebounds to Tech's eight. 

• The Thunderbird's rim protectors also showed up big tonight, earning six total blocks. 

Williamson's earned her seventh double-double of the season and the 13th in her career. Megan Jensen also had an impressive stat line, recording 17 points and eight rebounds. Daylani Ballena added nine points, while Samantha Johnston had a gritty night, finishing with six points, eight rebounds, four assists, and a game-high three blocks. 

First Half

Both teams traded scores back and forth in the opening moments before the Thunderbirds took the 12-8 lead heading into the first media timeout courtesy of eight points in the paint from Williamson. The Trailblazers responded with two jumpers out of the timeout. But SUU would close the quarter on a 6-2 run as Jensen and Cherita Daugherty each muscled in layups to give the Thunderbirds the 19-14 advantage. 

After Johnston got the scoring started for the Thunderbirds in the second quarter with a deep three-point jumper, Utah Tech stormed back on a 9-0 run to take their first lead of the game, 25-22, at the 4:41 mark. Ballena snatched the lead back in the next two possessions with a driving layup and a pull-up three to give SUU the 27-26 with 2:18 in the quarter. Each side continued to trade buckets down the stretch and went into the half tied 30-30. 

Second Half

Williamson picked up right where she left off to begin the second half going straight to the hole for a layup, but the Trailblazers caught fire, hitting two threes and a mid-range jumper to jump out to a 37-32 lead. After Ballena and Jensen fought back with two layups, Utah Tech built some steam to extend out to their largest lead, 45-36, with 2:56 left on the clock. 

The Thunderbirds would not go away as Alexa Lord splashed her first points from behind the arch, sparking two more Thunderbird three-pointers from Tomekia Whitman and Johnston to pull back within four points, 49-45, at the end of the third quarter. 

SUU took complete control of the game in the final quarter. Megan Jensen hit a three-pointer to open the period before the Thunderbirds locked down defensively and shattered off a 12-0 run, highlighted by six points from Williamson and a spin cycle layup from Ballena to take a 60-49 lead. The Thunderbirds would hold the Trailblazers to just a single layup in the final quarter and cruised to the 62-51 win. 

Up Next

Southern Utah will now have time off before they travel to Phoenix to take on the Grand Canyon Lopes on Wednesday, Jan 25. at 7 p.m. MT. The Thunderbirds will be back in Cedar City on Saturday, Jan 28. to take on the Tarleton State Texans at 2 p.m. MT. 

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