In the midst of a five-game losing streak, the Southern Utah University men’s basketball team will travel to face California Baptist University on Thursday, Feb. 6, at 8 p.m. Following this game, SUU will return home to host Abilene Christian University on Saturday, Feb. 8, at 6:30 p.m.
Both games can be streamed on ESPN+.
Southern Utah
The struggles continue for the Thunderbirds since starting play in the Western Athletic Conference. SUU is 9-13 overall and 1-7 in conference play. One big issue for SUU has been the absence of guards Tavi Jackson and Dominique Ford.
Jackson was injured in their home matchup against Grand Canyon University on Jan. 23, and has missed the last three games. Ford was injured against Seattle University on Jan. 18 and has missed the previous four games.
With the absence of Jackson and Ford, fellow guard Jamir Simpson has stepped up as SUU’s main offensive production. Simpson is averaging 20.4 points a game in their last four games.
The struggle for SUU has been the production outside of Simpson. SUU is averaging just 59.4 points a game in their last five games.
California Baptist
Although the Lancers have had an up-and-down season and are just 11-10 overall on the year, CBU is 3-1 in their last four games and 4-3 in the WAC.
It has been the defense that has been the biggest reason for their recent success. CBU is allowing just 62 points a game in their last four games, including just 60 points to Southern Utah in their last matchup on Jan. 25.
Guard Dominique Daniels Jr. is the leading scorer in the WAC. Daniels Jr. is the only player in the conference to average 20 or more points a game, with Daniels Jr. averaging 20.1 points per contest.
Despite Daniels Jr. strong offensive season, Southern Utah held him to just three points on 1/8 shooting from the field.
Abilene Christian
Like Southern Utah, Abilene Christian is just 9-13 on the season and is in eighth place in the WAC, one spot ahead of SUU. ACU is just 1-8 in their last nine games with their sole win against Tarleton State University on Jan. 23.
The main offensive production has come from junior guard Quion Williams and junior forward Leonardo Bettiol. Williams, from Jonesboro, Arkansas leads the team in scoring, averaging 14.2 points per game.
Bettiol, from Roncade, Italy has been very efficient from the floor for the Wildcats. Bettiol is second on the team, averaging 14 points a game and leads the team in shooting percentage, shooting 55.8% from the field.
Southern Utah is 3-4 all-time against California Baptist and 2-1 all-time against Abilene Christian.
Author: Jack Paul
Photographer: SUU Athletics
Editor: Kayd Johanson