Southern Utah began their regular season at BYU Friday where the Cougars topped the Thunderbirds 75-67 in overtime.
Whitney Johnson led the team offensively putting up 12 points with Ashley Larsen pulling down 10 rebounds.
SUU started off slow in Provo with BYU senior Cassie Broadhead Devashrayee scoring the first points of the game. Ashley Larsen was first to put points up for SUU who trailed BYU 23-11 at the end of the first quarter.
The Lady T-Birds were down by 17 early in the second quarter. SUU then picked up the pace and had a 16-2 run going into the half, placing the Thunderbirds just behind the Cougars with a score of 34-31.
Larsen led the team in points (7) as well as rebounds (6) at the end of the half.
Southern Utah took control of the third with a three pointer from Breanu Reid to tie the game. Reid then used a layup right after to put the Lady T-Birds ahead of the Cougars 36-34 early in the third quarter.
The Thunderbirds maintained their lead into the fourth quarter, where the Cougars were able to tie it up at 61-61 to end the quarter and take the game to overtime.
In overtime both teams remained scoreless in the first three minutes, BYU then used a 9-0 run to put them up 70-61 for the first time since the second quarter with a minute remaining. SUU had back-to-back three pointers but ultimately fell to the Cougars 75-67 in overtime.
Head coach Chris Boettcher thought the women performed well in their first regular season game.
“I’m proud of the effort from our team. We played hard and gave ourselves a chance to win,” Boettcher said. “Unfortunately they have a senior point guard who was able to make big plays when they needed them. We have a lot to learn, but we’re really happy with the direction the team is going”.
Devashrayee led all scorers with 25 points. BYU’s Shalae Salmon had a game-high with 17 rebounds.
The Lady T-Birds take on the University of San Diego on Tuesday November 14 in San Diego, California at 7 p.m MT.
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Story By
SUU Athletics Strategic Communications
