SEATTLE, Wash. - The Southern Utah University women's basketball team fell to Seattle University 75-71 at the Redhawk Center on Thursday night. The Thunderbirds move to 6-17 overall and 4-10 in Western Athletic Conference play, while the Redhawks improve to 3-20 on the season and 3-11 in conference play.
HEAD COACH TRACY MASON SAYS
"We have to make our free throws and we have to execute the game plan. We let Seattle do what they were comfortable with. You let a team be comfortable and they build momentum."
TOP T-BIRDS
-
Daylani Ballena powered the Thunderbirds' attack with 24 points and five assists.
-
Samantha Johnston poured in 17 points along with five rebounds and five assists.
-
Ava Uhrich was the third T-Bird to reach double-figure scoring, adding 17 points on 5-10 shooting from the field.
-
Johnston and Ashley Banks each recorded two blocks to lead the team.
GAME RECAP
First Half
The Thunderbirds jumped out to a 5-2 lead early in the first quarter. Seattle U fired back, scoring the next eight points to take a 10-5 advantage with 5:08 on the clock. Daylani Ballena and Ava Uhrich each scored a basket on back-to-back possessions for the Thunderbirds to trim the lead to only one, 10-9. Seattle U would close the quarter with a 9-6 run to go up 19-15 at the end of the first.
The two teams traded baskets to begin the second quarter as the Redhawks would extend their lead to 33-26 with 3:01 on the clock. Uhrich then sparked an 8-1 burst for SUU to tie the game at 34 apiece. The Redhawks led 37-34 at the break.
Second Half
Seattle U used a 12-6 stretch to build a 49-40 lead with 4:05 on the clock. Southern Utah managed to get within four, 51-47, late in the period, but the Redhawks scored the next four points to jump in front 55-47 heading into the final frame.
The Redhawks came out strong in the fourth, building a 60-49 advantage with 8:55 on the clock. Then, Samantha Johnston knocked down three shots from behind the arc to fuel a 14-4 sprint that trimmed the lead to a single point, 64-63, with 4:36 left in the game. However, this was as close as the Thunderbirds would get, as the Redhawks would go on to claim a 75-71 victory.
NOTABLE PLAYS
UP NEXT
The Thunderbirds will stay on the road as they travel to Orem to take on in-state rival Utah Valley on Saturday, Feb. 17. The game is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. MT.
FOLLOW US
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.
DONATE
To help support Thunderbird athletics consider making a donation today! To learn more about how you can support click here.
