CEDAR CITY, Utah - The Southern Utah University women's basketball team fell to Tarleton State 71-60 on Thursday night at the America First Event Center. The Thunderbirds move to 4-13 overall and 2-6 in Western Athletic Conference play, while the Texans improve to 5-12 and 2-6 in WAC play.
HEAD COACH TRACY MASON SAYS
"We just have to stay the course and continue to want to get better. We have to play as a team on the defensive end and be on the same page."
Link to Full Post-Game Interview
T-BIRD TIDBITS
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Daylani Ballena led the Thunderbirds' attack with 17 points and three assists.
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Ava Uhrich recorded her fifth double-double of the season and fourth in WAC play with 16 points and 12 rebounds.
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Ashley Banks scored a season-high 13 points to go along with four rebounds.
GAME RECAP
First Half
The Thunderbirds relied on a balanced attack to begin the game, as three T-Birds scored early on to give SUU a 6-2 lead with 6:55 left in the first quarter. The Texans put together a 15-10 run to take a one point advantage, 17-16. Daylani Ballena went on a personal 5-0 spurt to give Southern Utah a 21-17 lead heading into the second quarter.
Ballena and Shiho Isono each connected on a field goal early in the second frame to push the Thunderbirds in front 26-19. However, the Texans would close the quarter on a 18-5 push to take a 37-31 lead at the break.
Second Half
Ashley Banks poured in seven of the 'Birds 12 points in the third period to fuel the team's offense. Tarleton State held a 60-43 advantage at the end of the third quarter.
Ballena and Ava Uhrich combined for a 7-0 run to start the final frame, cutting the Texans lead to 60-50 with 7:38 remaining in the game. However, that was the closest the Thunderbirds would get, as Tarleton State would go on to claim a 71-60 victory.
NOTABLE PLAYS
UP NEXT
Southern Utah will host Abilene Christian on Saturday, Jan. 27 at the America First Event Center. The game is scheduled to tip-off at 2 p.m. MT.
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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.
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