CEDAR CITY, Utah - The Southern Utah women's basketball team turned the tide in their third and final game against Tarleton State on Feb. 18, picking up their 10th conference win of their year in a 76-69 grudge match on their home court. The Thunderbirds earn an 18-8 overall record and a 10-4 Western Athletic Conference record, while the Texans fall to 12-13 overall with a 6-8 record in WAC play.
Top T-Birds
- Junior Ava Uhrich couldn't be stopped, despite regularly being contested in the paint. She ended the night with 24 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists on 62.5% shooting from the floor. The game marked Uhrich's eighth double-double of the season.
- Draining three of her four triples, freshman Devyn Kiernan tallied 17 points and chipped in four boards.
- Sophomore Sierra Chambers totalled 15 points and five assists in the game, while junior Brooklyn Fely put up 11 points and brought down eight rebounds.
Head Coach Tracy Mason Said:
Game Recap
First Half
The Thunderbirds tipped off to a dominant start in the paint, earning three inside layups to jump ahead. They immediately switched things up with a triple each from Kiernan and sophomore Sierra Chambers to extend their lead. Chambers closed out the first quarter with an impressive buzzer-beating underneath layup to go up 20-11.
After a three-pointer from sophomore Denver Anderson started the second, the Texans held Southern Utah scoreless for over five minutes. SUU's defense remained stout while their offense battled to get back on track. Uhrich eventually snapped the drought with a bucket in the paint and boosted her team to a 30-21 advantage at the half.
Second Half
Rushing to a double-digit lead, Uhrich and Kiernan each put down multiple baskets for the Thunderbirds. With a pair of free throws by sophomore Kortney Doman, Southern Utah extended to their largest lead of the night at 16, but they allowed a pair of baskets and headed into the fourth up 49-38.
SUU's momentum only grew in the final quarter, as a 9-2 run began to put Tarleton State out of reach. While the Texans cut back into the Southern Utah lead to make it a three-score game, a basket from Fely and free throws from Kiernan hammered the final nails in the coffin for a 76-69 Thunderbirds win.
Highlights
Up Next
Southern Utah will return to action on their home-court in a critical Sunday matchup with Abilene Christian on Feb. 22 at 2:00 p.m. in the America First Event Center. The game can be viewed live on ESPN+.
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