CEDAR CITY, UTAH -- SUU Men's Basketball defended home court against the Panthers of FIU 80-75 and started the 2024-25 season 2-0. 

Head Coach Rob Jeter said

Top T-Birds

• Hercy Miller comes off the bench and leads the Thunderbirds with 18 points on 5-8 from the field and 8-9 from the free throw line.
• Tavi Jackson went 6-7 from the field and 2-2 from three for 17 points and pulled down a season-high nine rebounds. He also led the team with four assists and four steals.
• Jamir Simpson had 16 points and led the Thunderbirds with 10 made free throws.

Game Recap

The first half was very back-and-forth, with neither team leading by more than five points. After two Simpson free throws made it 34-34, it looked like the Panthers would have the final shot of the half and a chance to take the lead into the break, but a steal by JT Langston Jr led to a Jamari Sibley tomahawk dunk just before the halftime buzzer sounded, and the Thunderbirds went into the break with a two-point lead, and all of the momentum. 

The second half was more of the same, with neither team able to sustain any meaningful scoring runs. Xavier Sykes checked into the game at the 13:55 mark and had a beautiful assist on Brock Felder's dunk. A few possessions later, he made a driving scoop layup and finished his second-half run with another assist on Felder's easy layup. SUU was suddenly up 61-71, and at the 4:10 mark in the second half, the Thunderbirds' lead was 13. 

FIU was able to cut the lead to four, but with just 17 seconds remaining, the Thunderbirds would close it out and protect home court, winning 80-75. 

HIGHLIGHTS

Up Next

SUU will play the third of four straight home games to open the year on Tuesday, November 12, at 6:30 p.m. against Bethesda (CA). Come out and pack the AFEC!

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Season tickets, mini packages, and single-game tickets are now available! Get yours today by visiting tbirdtickets.com

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