Thunderbirds Pull Away Late To Win Second Straight Game
Dec 30, 2023, 8:22 PM | Updated: 8:23 pm
(Courtesy of SUU Athletics)
(Courtesy of SUU Athletics)
CEDAR CITY, Utah – The Southern Utah Thunderbirds used a second-half push to pull away from the Pioneers in a 95-78 win.
The Thunderbirds (5-8, 0-2) hosted the University of Antelope Valley (9-3) at the America First Event Center in Cedar City on Saturday, December 30.
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Prophet got ⬆️ and threw it ⬇️ 🔥 pic.twitter.com/WNsNNqAOTN
— SUU Men's Basketball (@SUUBasketball) December 31, 2023
Braden Housley led SUU with 22 points, six assists, and four steals. Dominique Ford added 19 points while Zion Young contributed 16 and Chazz Hutchison finished with 10 points. Prophet Johnson had a double-double, grabbing 13 boards to go with 11 points.
First Half
Leading 5-4 in the opening minutes, Brock Felder’s first career triple gave the Thunderbirds a four-point advantage with 16:30 left in the half.
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💦 SPLASH 💦
Brock knocks down the first three pointer of his career 👏 pic.twitter.com/AHJRLtTFoS
— SUU Men's Basketball (@SUUBasketball) December 31, 2023
Two minutes later, Dominque Ford blew by his defender at the top of the key before drawing the foul and hitting the bucket to give his team a 15-8 lead.
Dom attacks the basket 😤
AND 1️⃣ pic.twitter.com/eUbcrVXfTE
— SUU Men's Basketball (@SUUBasketball) December 31, 2023
Later in the half, good passing created a dunk chance for Felder. The 6’8 freshman from Parowan HS threw down a thunderous slam on the assist from Ford.
Team Basketball ➡️ Slam Dunk 😎 pic.twitter.com/OVCRVvEQ6k
— SUU Men's Basketball (@SUUBasketball) December 31, 2023
Both teams shot 44 percent in the opening half but SUU took a seven-point halftime lead thanks to 7-of-13 made threes and nine UAV turnovers compared to six for the Thunderbirds.
At the halfway mark ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/Ly0vJWsxKv
— SUU Men's Basketball (@SUUBasketball) December 31, 2023
Second Half
Zion Young opened the second half in style for SUU, forcing a turnover and getting behind the defense for a dunk.
DEFENSE ➡️ OFFENSE
Zion with the big SLAM 👊 pic.twitter.com/au7RXeD2tz
— SUU Men's Basketball (@SUUBasketball) December 31, 2023
Later in the half with Southern Utah leading by 11, Prophet Johnson’s outlet pass found Ford for a dunk and 59-46 lead.
Prophet throws a DIME to Dom 😳🔥 pic.twitter.com/XuZ098Bp5N
— SUU Men's Basketball (@SUUBasketball) December 31, 2023
With 11 minutes left, Braden Housley turned the corner and got all the way the the hoop for a right-handed layup that gave his team a nine-point lead.
Braden takes it to the 🏠 pic.twitter.com/pC5WzDPEXm
— SUU Men's Basketball (@SUUBasketball) December 31, 2023
The Thunderbirds pulled away late for a 95-78 win.
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Southern Utah continues Western Athletic Conference play when they welcome Grand Canyon University (11-1, 2-0) on Thursday, January 4. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. (MT). SUU is 0-3 all-time against the Antelopes, including an 84-66 loss at GCU on March 11 last season.
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