RIVERSIDE, California – The Southern Utah Thunderbirds travelled to the CBU Events Center on Wednesday to take on the California Baptist Lancers.

The Thunderbirds last game was an impressive win over the Utah Valley Wolverines, 79-67. The Lancers last game was a tough road loss to the Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros, 64-58.

Southern Utah came in at 3rd place in the Western Athletic Conference. California Baptist sat at 7 before the game.

First Half

The Thunderbirds got on the board first, hitting jumpshots on the first two possessions to take a 4-0 lead.

After giving up a three, Southern Utah came down and got the points back the old-fashioned way.

Picture perfect move from Spurgin in the post 📸

AND 1️⃣#TBirdNation pic.twitter.com/bwrHMXKhm0

— SUU Men’s Basketball (@SUUBasketball) February 2, 2023

The Lancers continued the sharpshooting from outside. They took their first lead of the game after a 7-0 run.

Southern Utah got another and-one to tie the game at 10.

POWER MOVE FROM PARSA 😤😤😤#TBirdNation pic.twitter.com/0UkV5pqI3c

— SUU Men’s Basketball (@SUUBasketball) February 2, 2023

The teams traded baskets over the next few minutes.

SUU shot well from the field and from three.

.@mufausett gives the T-Birds a 1️⃣7️⃣-1️⃣4️⃣ lead after this 👌#TBirdNation pic.twitter.com/IjpHMDbVHd

— SUU Men’s Basketball (@SUUBasketball) February 2, 2023

There was a lot of good defense played in the first half. Much of the scoring came off of hustle plays or tough shots.

DEEp Barnes 😏#TBirdNation pic.twitter.com/wqmWCcKtoX

— SUU Men’s Basketball (@SUUBasketball) February 2, 2023

Drake Allen was the leading scorer for Southern Utah in the first half with 11 points.

.@drakeaallen13 muscles this one in, and ☝️#TBirdNation pic.twitter.com/rEZ0Mhfr8y

— SUU Men’s Basketball (@SUUBasketball) February 2, 2023

No team held a lead larger than 5-points in the first half. The Thunderbirds led for 13 of the 20 minutes regardless.

.@drakeaallen13 WITH THE POSTER DUNK 🤯🤯🤯#TBirdNation pic.twitter.com/mtKcW1qudj

— SUU Men’s Basketball (@SUUBasketball) February 2, 2023

The score was 42-38 at the half.

🆙 at the half#TBirdNation pic.twitter.com/B42SY8nJ8l

— SUU Men’s Basketball (@SUUBasketball) February 2, 2023

Second Half

The Thunderbirds held a two-possession lead for the first few minutes of the second half.

Drake Allen continued to pour it in for SUU.

Have yourself a night @drakeaallen13 🔥🔥🔥

He leads the team with 1️⃣5️⃣ points on 7-9 shooting ‼️#TBirdNation pic.twitter.com/Sf0bNuPfLo

— SUU Men’s Basketball (@SUUBasketball) February 2, 2023

Tevian Jones got a posterizing dunk off of a backdoor cut.

Tevian got ⬆️⬆️⬆️ and threw it ⬇️⬇️⬇️#TBirdNation pic.twitter.com/nQtjUgZnP5

— SUU Men’s Basketball (@SUUBasketball) February 2, 2023

With 15 minutes left in the game, the Lancers tied the game at 50-50.

The Thunderbirds continued to shoot well from all over the court.

SHARPSH🎯🎯TER@camb0healy splashes his second triple of the night 💦#TBirdNation pic.twitter.com/UGgrn8ZWF0

— SUU Men’s Basketball (@SUUBasketball) February 2, 2023

SUU went on a 9-2 run with 5 minutes left in the game. They opened a 7-point lead which was quickly dropped to 3 after some Lancer baskets.

.@TheReal_TJones is in the ZONE rn 🔒#TBirdNation pic.twitter.com/nWNtMxxZVW

— SUU Men’s Basketball (@SUUBasketball) February 2, 2023

California Baptist took a two-point lead late. The Thunderbirds got an and-one with a minute left to regain the lead.

TEVIAN HITS AN AND 1️⃣ WITH 1:13 REMAINING 👀🤯

SUU 🆙 7️⃣2️⃣-7️⃣1️⃣‼️#TBirdNation pic.twitter.com/SvqwkCzIsd

— SUU Men’s Basketball (@SUUBasketball) February 2, 2023

The Lancers got to the free throw line with 4 seconds remaining. They missed both shots and the Thunderbirds got the rebound to seal the game.

Southern Utah pulls out the win, 72-71.

Took care of business tonight 😎#TBirdNation pic.twitter.com/LOGIiwZbs3

— SUU Men’s Basketball (@SUUBasketball) February 2, 2023

Chandler Holt is a Digital Sports Producer for KSLSports.com, specializing in all things basketball and football. Follow Chandler on Twitter at @ChandlerHoltKSL.