On the night where Southern Utah University women’s basketball team wore pink in awareness for cancer patients, Utah Tech University outlasted Southern Utah 87-77. With the loss, SUU falls to 6-15 overall and 4-8 in the Western Athletic Conference. Utah Tech improves to 14-9 overall, 8-4 in the WAC and 2-0 against Southern Utah on the year.
“I felt like we had our opportunities and we would get it close,” said head coach Tracy Mason. “Then, we would give up a basket or two, and we just never could seem to close the gap.”
First quarter
Utah Tech jumped out quickly to a 10-2 run, scoring all 10 points in the paint. Southern Utah responded with a 6-0 run to cut the lead to two halfway through the first period. Guard Maddie Warren answered with a three to start a 13-5 run for the Trailblazers, giving Utah Tech a 22-13 lead.
Second quarter
Southern Utah cut the lead to just five off a pair of buckets from freshman Ava Uhrich and a jumper from senior Samantha Johnston. Uhrich had nine of her 18 points in this quarter, leading all scorers in the period. Utah Tech extended their lead to as many as 11 points until SUU cut the lead to eight and trailed at halftime 44-36.
Third quarter
It was back and forth between both teams. Southern Utah eventually cut the lead to five with two minutes left. Utah Tech responded through fifth-year guard Breaunna Gillen, who led all scorers in the period with 13 points on 4/6 shooting to give Utah Tech a 67-56 lead.
Fourth quarter
Southern Utah continued to battle behind Johnston, who had 12 of her career-high 24 points in the period, including back-to-back threes to cut the lead to four points with six minutes left. The Trailblazers continued to answer every time Southern Utah scored, never letting it get to a one-score game. With two minutes left, Daylani Ballena made a layup to cut the lead to four, but with time running out, Utah Tech iced the game. They scored their remaining eight points from the free-throw line, outlasting SUU 87-77.
Key stats
— Utah Tech scored 46 points in the paint compared to Southern Utah’s 28.
— Johnston averaged 18.75 points per game in her last four games.
— Gillen led Utah Tech with six assists.
— Southern Utah tied their season high with 10 made threes.
What’s next?
Southern Utah will be back at home against Grand Canyon University on Saturday, Feb. 10, at 2 p.m. in the America First Event Center. This game can also be streamed on ESPN+.
“Grand Canyon is a transition team; they are gonna push the ball, they are gonna be fast and they will take advantage of us if we aren’t locked in and communicating,” Mason said.
Author: Jack Paul
Photo courtesy of SUU Athletics
Editor: Anden Garfield
sports@suunews.net
