PHOENIX, ARIZONA -- The Thunderbirds took a 59-58 lead with seven minutes left in the game but could not hold on and lost their WAC opener at GCU, 82-71. 

Head Coach Rob Jeter said

"We battled tonight. I am super proud of our guys and the way that we competed all night long against a talented team. We had a long time between games so it was nice to see how our guys came out and competed."

Top T-Birds

• Dominique Ford led the Thunderbirds in scoring with 22 points on 8-17 from the field and 4-9 from three. He also led the team with six rebounds in the game. 
• Tavi Jackson dished a career-high nine assists with 12 points and five rebounds. 
• Hercy Miller had six points, three rebounds, and an assist in his return from injury.

Game Recap

The Lopes tried to deliver multiple knockout punches throughout the first half, but the Thunderbirds would not go away. 

GCU extended their lead to 10 points four times in the first half and led by as many as 12. A team that hasn't shot the deep ball particularly well throughout non conference play was 8 of 12 from deep. Tyon Grant-Foster is making 12% of his three-point attempts this season but was 2-3 from deep in the first half and 3-5 for the game. 

GCU took a 41-31 lead into the halftime break.

The second half was back and forth throughout, with GCU extending their lead to 13 early on, but once again, the Thunderbirds had an answer and immediately went on a 12-2 run. The Lopes pushed their lead back to seven points, but an 8-0 run that included an and-1 from Ford and was capped off with a three-pointer from Jamari Sibley, and the Thundebrirds took a one-point lead. 

SUU came up with stops initially, but Duke Brennan was a force on the offensive boards, and ultimately, GCU put the game away on free throws. 

HIGHLIGHTS

Up Next

SUU will have their next two conference games at home next week, on Thursday, January 9, against Tarleton St and on Saturday, January 11, against UT Arlington. Both games will tip off at 6:30 p.m.

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