The Southern Utah University women’s basketball team lost in a vital conference matchup against the Stephen F. Austin State University Lumberjacks on Thursday, March 7. SUU blew out SFA in the first half but could not stop their comeback effort in the second. SUU guard Daylani Ballena gave it her all, scoring a career-high 28 points, but it was not enough. This loss takes the Thunderbirds to 7-21 overall and 5-14 in Western Athletic Conference play, while the Lumberjacks rise to 20-10 overall and 14-5 in the WAC.
First quarter
Play got started with the Lumberjacks winning the tipoff and scoring the first points of the game with a drive to the basket by guard Tyler McCliment-Call. SUU quickly responded with a three-pointer from forward Ava Uhrich, which sparked an incredible first quarter for the Thunderbirds.
SFA kept the score close in the opening minutes with SUU up 11-6, but SUU quickly pulled away. They made five threes in their last game, but because of great shooting and passing, they were 8/8 from three-point range just seven minutes in.
Southern Utah also played great defense, keeping the Lumberjacks’ shooting in check at 4/18 in the quarter and 0/4 from three.
Uhrich led the offensive charge alongside guards Ballena and Samantha Johnston. This great start allowed the Thunderbirds to end the quarter with a 22-4 run and were up 30-10.
Second quarter
SFA opened the quarter missing their first seven shots. Southern Utah continued to take advantage of the Lumberjacks’ struggles with two quick mid-range shots from Ballena. The Thunderbirds continued to pass the ball well and finished the half with 13 assists.
After seven minutes of game time, SFA finally scored off two free throws from center Kurstyn Harden. With five minutes until halftime, SUU was up 42-15, but the tide began to shift for the Lumberjacks.
Harden continued to dominate the paint, leading the scoring effort for SFA. However, all players were getting involved on the offensive end and passing the ball well. The Lumberjacks ended the quarter with a 14-4 run. Despite this, SUU still held a healthy 17-point lead at the half, up 46-29.
Third quarter
Coming out of the break, Ballena hit a mid-range shot, but things soon got tough for the Thunderbirds. They opened the quarter shooting 1/7 and started running into foul issues. Six minutes in, SUU was up 14 points, but the Lumberjacks were relentless and continued to chip away at the deficit. Ballena kept SUU in the game, but with three minutes left in the third, Southern Utah was only up by nine.
The SFA effort was led by Harden in the paint and guard Destini Lombard from mid-range. They also capitalized on almost all of their free throws.
The situation only got worse for SUU, as they were turning the ball over and still fouling. Going into the fourth, SUU was up 58-54.
Fourth quarter
Unfortunately for the Thunderbirds, the closing quarter was just the same as the third. They struggled to score and kept turning the ball over. Ballena gave her best effort, but she was exhausted by the end. Though a handful of shots were exchanged in the beginning, the Lumberjacks tied the game with seven minutes to go off a free throw from Call. SUU center Ashley Banks and guard Shiho Isono fouled out, and a few possessions later, SFA took the lead and held onto it until the final buzzer sounded. The final score was 81-74.
Key players
— Ballena scored 28 points, five rebounds and four assists.
— Johnston scored 14 points, four assists and four blocks.
— Uhrich had a 12-point, 10-rebound double-double.
— Harden scored 23 points, seven rebounds and three blocks.
— Lombard had 17 points, seven rebounds and four steals.
Explosive stats
— SUU scored a season-high 11 threes.
— SFA made 18 free throws versus SUU’s five.
— SFA only had four turnovers.
Next for SUU
The next matchup will be a home game for the Thunderbirds. They will face off against the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros on Saturday, March 9, at 2 p.m. The game can be streamed on ESPN+ or attended at the America First Event Center.
Author: Jacob McQueary
Photographer: Anden Garfield
Editor: Anden Garfield
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