The Southern Utah University men’s basketball team won big in a conference matchup against the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros on Saturday, Feb. 3. The game started competitive, but SUU guard Zion Young played relentlessly to put the Thunderbirds up by 20 at the half. This 79-59 win takes the Thunderbirds to 9-13 overall and 4-7 in Western Athletic Conference play, while the Vaqueros fall to 6-16 overall and 2-9 in the WAC.
First half
Southern Utah forward Jamari Sibley won the tip to get the game underway. Young scored with a strong drive to the basket on the first possession of play to get the offense rolling. The Thunderbirds started out playing great defense, only allowing three points in the first four minutes. This effort was led by forward Parsa Fallah, who helped SUU take an early 9-3 lead.
SUU managed to stay slightly in front, but the Vaqueros quickly caught up due to great offense from guard Elijah Elliot. Both teams were drawing plenty of fouls, but neither side took full advantage of free throws, which limited scoring.
The game was tied at 19 with eight minutes and thirty seconds to go. SUU had a hard time taking care of the ball, and UTRGV could not get shots to go down. Suddenly, a flip switched for the Thunderbirds as Young scored six points straight. Coming out of a timeout, SUU blocked a shot and scored on the other end to take a 31-21 lead.
The Thunderbirds’ momentum was unstoppable. They went on a 19-4 scoring run led by Young. He finished the half with 20 points on 6/9 shooting. On the defensive side, Fallah and fellow forward Brock Felder held down the paint, allowing very few buckets.
With one minute to go, SUU guard Prophet Johnson stole the ball and slammed it down for two, extending the lead to 20. This incredible first half left SUU up 48-28.
Second half
Coming out of the break, Thunderbird guard Braden Housley hit a three-pointer. After the quick bucket, the game began slowing down. SUU held a dominant lead over their opponent but were not in the same rhythm offensively as they had been in the first half.
With 12 minutes left in regulation, SUU was up by 28. Felder and Fallah continued playing textbook defense, limiting points for UTRGV.
UTRGV finally found some consistent scoring. This was led by Elliot hitting shots and getting to the free-throw line. They had a great scoring run, cutting the deficit to 18 points with five minutes left, but SUU’s lead was too large to overcome.
Despite a slower second half, SUU played a great game. Their explosive first half combined with their best defensive performance of the season secured them a much-needed conference win.
Explosive players
— Young had 20 points.
— Fallah scored 17 points, five rebounds and a block.
— Felder scored six points, four rebounds and a career-high four blocks.
— Elliot scored 18 points.
Key stats
— UTRGV never led in the game.
— SUU held UTRGV to a 18/67 shooting performance.
— The Vaqueros only hit two three-point shots.
Next for SUU
The next matchup will be an away game for the Thunderbirds. They will face off against the Utah Tech University Trailblazers on Thursday, Feb. 8, at 7:00 p.m. The game can be streamed on ESPN+.
Author: Jacob McQueary
Photographer: Anden Garfield
Editor: Anden Garfield
sports@suunews.net
