CEDAR CITY, Utah - Southern Utah University women's basketball couldn't outlast the Sam Houston State University Bearkats on Dec. 16, losing 72-61 at home and falling to 1-10 on the season. SHSU reaches 6-3 with the win.

Top T-Birds

• Jaeden Brown brought down 11 boards in addition to putting up eight points.

• Daylani Ballena led the team in scoring with 11 points, chipping in four rebounds.

• Off the bench, Ashley Banks racked up three blocks and nine points.

Head Coach Tracy Mason Said:

Game Recap

First Half

Southern Utah jumped to an early lead with a triple from Samantha Johnston before back-and-forth scoring from the two teams. Ava Uhrich strung together five late first-quarter points to put the Thunderbirds up 22-18.

Struggling in the second, SUU's turnovers allowed Sam Houston to pull away to an eight-point lead. Layups from Brown and Ballena cut into the Bearkat lead before halftime, making it a 37-35 game.

Second Half

Southern Utah's starters opened the third with a rocky start, allowing SHSU to burst ahead to a lead before Mason made a full team substitution in an attempt to swing the momentum. A three from Charli Kay and points in the paint from Banks and Lexi Bull brought the Thunderbirds back in range with a 54-48 game entering the fourth.

Sydney Gandy finally found her stride in the final quarter, tallying ten points as the clock ran down, but it wasn't enough to retake the lead as the Thunderbirds fell to the Bearkats.

Highlights

Sam gets us started from deep‼️

📺: @espn pic.twitter.com/oOZSksW5KD
— SUU Women's Basketball (@SUUWBasketball) December 17, 2024
 

Daylani finds Kortney for the AND 1⃣

📺: @espn pic.twitter.com/jbjv6iAlz8
— SUU Women's Basketball (@SUUWBasketball) December 17, 2024
 

Daylani with dime to Ashley 👀

📺:@espn pic.twitter.com/jLTZU4yYzb
— SUU Women's Basketball (@SUUWBasketball) December 17, 2024
 

Daylani are you serious⁉️

📺:@espn pic.twitter.com/f1xjzXyE1u
— SUU Women's Basketball (@SUUWBasketball) December 17, 2024
 

Charli with the corner three 🤑 pic.twitter.com/lYF605GIJ8
— SUU Women's Basketball (@SUUWBasketball) December 17, 2024
 

Daylani with the back🚪cut 

📺:@espn pic.twitter.com/6qOTM6aiah
— SUU Women's Basketball (@SUUWBasketball) December 17, 2024
 

Up Next

The Thunderbirds will face the Park University Gilbert Buccaneers on Friday, Dec. 20, at 2:00 p.m., hoping to pick up their second win of the season. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN+.

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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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