CEDAR CITY, UTAH -- The SUU Men's Basketball team earned its first win of the 2025-26 season in dominant fashion at home against Bethesda (CA). Thirteen different Thunderbirds recorded a bucket in a 118-60 win.
Head Coach Rob Jeter said
"We are getting better everyday which is a good thing. We have improved on things after each game, and tonight we looked pretty good. But let's see if we can keep this momentum on the road this weekend."
Top T-Birds
- 13 of the 14 Thunderbirds that played in the game registered at least one bucket.
- Jalen (Roc) Lee led the team with 19 points on 6-9 from the field.
- Tanner Hayhurst and Dylan Jones both made four three-pointers.
HIGHLIGHTS
Game Recap
The Thunderbirds started the game on a 9-2 run and never looked back.Â
By the under-12 media timeout, the lead had ballooned to 28-12 after back-to-back buckets from Elijah Duval and Jalen (Roc) Lee.Â
There were plenty of highlights to go around, but the big moment in the first half was Lorenzo Abellar dishing a behind-the-back pass to Kai Burdick for a two-handed slam, and then on the ensuing possession dishing to a cutting Zach Bell, who leaped over two defenders and threw down a ferocious dunk.
Tanner Hayhurst made a three-pointer at the end of the half that helped the Thunderbirds to a 66-37 lead at the break.
The second half showed the depth of the Thunderbirds, with Logan Stephenson, Chuks Isitua, Zeplin Kidd, and Brayden Johnson all getting some shine and playing good minutes.
SUU closed out the Lion Angels 118-60 in the America First Event Center.
Statistical Recap
The Thunderbirds shot 57% from the field and 37% from beyond the arc in the win.Â
The T-Birds accumulated an outstanding 84 points off the bench, led by Lee (19) and Hayhurst (13).
Isaiah Cottrell nearly knotted his first double-double of the season, scoring eight points and pulling down nine rebounds. Elijah Duval also nearly had a double-double with eight points and eight assists on the night.
Zach Bell had an efficient night, scoring 11 points on 3-4 from the field, grabbing five rebounds, and dishing six assists.
Up Next
The Thunderbirds will be in Omaha, Nebraska, the next time they play, playing at the University of Nebraska Omaha on Saturday, November 15, at 6:00 p.m. The Mavericks went to the NCAA Tournament a season ago.
TICKETS
Tickets are on sale now at tbirdtickets.com! Go get yours today!
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Stay up to date during the 2025-26Â Southern Utah Men's Basketball season by following @SUUBasketball on Twitter and Instagram and by liking the Southern Utah Basketball page on Facebook.
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