CEDAR CITY, UTAH -- Thunderbirds secure their first conference win, 75-65 over the Trailblazers of Utah Tech, behind 23-point performances from Dominique Ford and Prophet Johnson.

SUU improves to 6-11 on the season and 1-5 in conference play. 

Game Recap
A gritty defensive battle throughout the first half saw SUU take a 31-28 lead into halftime with both teams shooting below 35% from the field in the first and not one player in double-digits scoring. 

Things would slightly open up in the second half for the Thunderbirds. With a one-point lead and 10 minutes left to play in the game, Ford knocked down a left-wing triple and Parsa Fallah came away with a steal on the ensuing possession that led to another triple by Ford and forced a timeout for Utah Tech. Straight out of the timeout Zion Young got in on the action and knocked down a three on his own to make it a ten-point game, and the Thunderbirds wouldn't look back. 

Statistical Recap
65 points is the fewest the Thunderbirds have given up all year, holding the Trailblazers to under a point a possession, also for the first time this year. SUU held Utah Tech to 40% from the field and just 18% from three. They also won the rebounding battle 41-38, against a much bigger Utah Tech. 

Johnson had 23 points off the bench, only missing two shots all night, and was an unbelievable 15-15 from the free-throw line and led the team with three assists on the night. Ford was phenomenal once again for the Thunderbirds, scoring 23 points on 5-14 and 3-7 from three, but he also had a good night at the charity stripe, making 10 of his 12 attempts. Parsa Fallah was double-teamed every time he touched the ball but did a great job impacting the game in other ways, pulling down a team-high and season-high 15 rebounds on the night. Young made pivotal shots throughout the night, going 3-6 from three for nine points. He also pulled down six rebounds and had an assist. 

Jaylen Searles paced Utah Tech with 13 points and seven rebounds. 

"It feels good, it really does. These guys have been working so hard and have had to learn lessons from tough losses, which isn't easy. But it is really nice to see their hard work pay off with a W on the schedule," said Head Coach Rob Jeter.  

"The energy from the crowd was phenomenal, I am glad that they were able to have some fun and enjoy tonight, cause I know we did," continued, Jeter. 

Up Next
The Thunderbirds will be on the road to California to take on California Baptist on Sat, Jan 20 at 6 p.m. The Lancers beat the Thunderbirds 66-91 back on Nov 29. 

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