Fresh off of their first win in nearly a month, Southern Utah University women’s basketball team hosted California Polytechnic State University on Saturday, Dec. 28 in nonconference play. Southern Utah battled but fell short 66-58.
With the loss, Southern Utah fell to 2-11 on the year and finished the month of December 1-4. Cal Poly improves to 6-6 on the year and is 2-0 against the Western Athletic Conference.
First quarter
It was all Cal Poly in the first quarter, outscoring SUU 27-8. The Mustangs started on a 17-0 run. Annika Shah led the team in the quarter with nine points and three made three-pointers. Southern Utah struggled from deep, going 0-6 from three.
Second quarter
Southern Utah played much better collectively in the second quarter, holding Cal Poly to just nine points. Jaden Brown led the Thunderbirds with six points in the quarter and helped narrow the deficit to 36-22 at half.
Third quarter
Coming out of halftime, neither team gained a big advantage. Shah scored five points early in the quarter but SUU responded. Sydney Gandy and Charli Kay both hit a pair of threes but the Mustangs still led 51-36 after the third.
Fourth quarter
Although down double-digits, Southern Utah didn’t go down without a fight. Freshman Kourtney Doman made a layup and a three-pointer with under two minutes to go, cutting the lead to six. Several free-throws from Shah put the game out of reach for SUU, securing the 66-58 win for the Mustangs.
Key statistics
— Shah led all players with 25 points.
— Doman scored a career-high 13 points for Southern Utah.
— Cal Poly shot 8/19 from three.
— SUU scored 24 points off of 20 turnovers from the Mustangs.
What’s next?
Southern Utah will start WAC play when they host Grand Canyon University on Saturday, Jan. 4, at 2 p.m., in the America First Event Center. This game can also be streamed on ESPN+.
Author: Jack Paul
Photographer: SUU Athletics
Copy Editor: Kayd Johanson
