SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Southern Utah men’s basketball team squeaked past the Idaho Vandals (0-8) to win their eighth consecutive contest.

The Thunderbirds hosted the Vandals on Thursday, January 7.

SUU beat Idaho, 85-80.

It was the T-Birds’ eighth straight win after starting the season with a two-point loss to Loyola Marymount.

Southern Utah was led to victory by three players, Tevian Jones, Dre Marin, and Aanen Moody, who all scored in doubles figures.

Overall, the Thunderbirds shot 45.0 percent from the field, including 34.5 percent from three-point range.

Idaho finished the contest shooting 54.9 percent overall and 50.0 percent on triples.

The Vandals’ weakness was committing 14 turnovers.

Idaho was led by Damen Thacker’s 27 points.

With the win, the Thunderbirds improved to 8-1 on the season and 3-0 in Big Sky Conference games.

Southern Utah’s next game is the second contest of back-to-back games against Idaho. The Thunderbirds and Vandals are scheduled to play again on Saturday, January 9 at 12 p.m. (MDT).