The Southern Utah University women’s basketball competed against the University of Texas at Arlington during the first round of the Western Athletic Conference Tournament in Las Vegas on Wednesday, March 13. The Mavericks outlasted the Thunderbirds 67-53, officially ending the season for Southern Utah.
First quarter
Senior forward Alexa Lord started things off for Southern Utah with a strong layup plus a foul. Following the free throw, freshman Ava Uhrich hit a 17-foot jumper to tie the game. Junior Gia Adams responded for the Mavericks by scoring the next seven points. UTA continued to go on a 12-6 run over the next four minutes to close the quarter up 22-14.
Second quarter
Southern Utah struggled to shoot the ball, going 4/15 from the field and 0/6 from three. Adams and senior Avery Brittingham dominated for UTA, allocating for 14 of the Mavericks’ 17 second-quarter points. Shiho Isono carried most of the offensive load for the Thunderbirds, pouring in seven of their nine points. UTA led 39-23 at the half.
Third quarter
SUU came out of halftime shooting much better. Lord led all players in the third quarter with nine points on 3/4 from the field. UTA responded, forcing three turnovers and scoring eight points off those mistakes.
After going up by as many as 19 with two minutes left, Uhrich hit a three-pointer followed by a Samantha Johnston jumper to cut the lead to 14. Poor transition defense led to Adams getting an easy fast break layup with five seconds left, pushing the lead to 57-41.
Fourth quarter
Southern Utah stepped up the defense, holding the Mavericks to just 10 points on 4/12 shooting and forcing five turnovers. Although the defense held its end, Southern Utah continued their struggle to score efficiently, going just 5/16 from the field. The Thunderbirds had six different players score in the fourth. UTA’s lead never dipped below 14, though, and they won 67-53.
Key statistics
— Lord recorded her third double-double of the season, scoring 14 points and grabbing 13 rebounds.
— Brittingham led all players with 21 points.
— Southern Utah shot just 2/22 from behind the arc.
— UTA had 17 fast break points compared to SUU’s two.
Author: Jack Paul
Photographer: Anden Garfield
Editor: Anden Garfield
sports@suunews.net
