The Southern Utah University women’s basketball team defeated the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley on Saturday, March 9, with a score of 65-52. The win clinched SUU a spot in the Western Athletic Conference Tournament.
First quarter
The Thunderbirds shot a poor 2/9 from the floor over the first five minutes. Back-to-back three-pointers by SUU gave them a five-point lead with two minutes left. Neither team scored the remainder of the period, combining to go 0/7, and SUU led 15-10.
Shiho Isono had a great first quarter off the bench for SUU, tallying five points and an assist. All four Vaquero baskets came from different players.
Second quarter
The Vaqueros had a more efficient shooting quarter, knocking down 50% of their shots. Charlotte O’Keefe came out hot and drilled two three-pointers to help UTRGV tie the game at 18. After trading baskets, junior guard Kade Hackerott converted a floater in the paint to give them the 22-21 lead.
The Thunderbirds hit three three-pointers, allowing them to stay in the game. Isono once again made an impact and tallied a team-best four points in the period. The Thunderbirds kept a 28-27 lead into the break.
Third quarter
SUU broke the game open by scoring the first six points. Their lead stayed above five for the rest of the period. Star freshman Ava Uhrich dominated, totaling 11 points and six rebounds for the Thunderbirds.
O’Keefe tallied four points and two blocks for the Vaqueros, but it wasn’t enough, and they allowed the Thunderbirds to shoot a blistering 53% from the floor in the period. UTRGV trailed 51-44.
Fourth quarter
After Southern Utah stretched their lead to nine, UTRGV looked to start a run. They converted a layup and forced a miss as they trailed by seven with the ball. During the next play, SUU freshman Charli Kay, who had just recently entered the game, deflected and stole the ball from UTRGV’s Tierra Trotter. Kay passed it ahead to Isono, who then dished it back to Kay for a reverse layup to put SUU ahead by nine.
From there, SUU finished strong, converting 5/6 free throws to win 65-52 and earn themselves a trip to the WAC Tournament.
Key statistics
— SUU committed a season-low four turnovers in their regular season finale.
— SUU’s Uhrich chalked up 20 points on 9/13 shooting to go along with nine rebounds.
— SUU converted 40% of their three-point attempts, knocking down eight.
— UTRGV’s O’Keefe had a team-best 14 points on 6/8 shooting while also contributing six rebounds and two blocks.
— UTRGV’s Hackerott led the team in rebounds with nine and poured in 13 points.
— UTRGV shot just six free throws, their fewest in a game this season.
What’s next?
The Thunderbirds will be slotted as the No. 8 seed in the WAC Vegas tournament. They will be the designated away team against the No. 5-seeded University of Texas at Arlington on Wednesday, March 13, at 1 p.m. MDT. The game will be played at the Orleans Arena and can be streamed through ESPN+.
Author: Brig Pyfer
Photo courtesy of SUU Athletics
Editor: Anden Garfield
sports@suunews.net
