Looking to halt their two-game skid, the Southern Utah University women’s basketball team hosted California Baptist University on Thursday, Feb. 6 in the America First Event Center. Southern Utah held a 15-point lead at the half, but a strong second half from the Lancers led to a 69-66 win over SUU.
With the loss, SUU drops to 4-18 overall and 2-7 in the Western Athletic Conference. California Baptist improves to 8-14 on the season and 5-3 in the WAC.
First quarter
Both teams traded shots early, with Lexi Bull and Ava Uhrich taking the lead for the Thunderbirds. The forward duo scored the first 10 points for SUU as Southern Utah held a 10-9 lead at the halfway portion in the first.
CBU traded baskets with SUU late in the period, keeping it a one-point game, but Ashley Banks scored back-to-back layups for the T-Birds to give SUU the 16-13 lead after one.
Second quarter
California Baptist came out and tied the game at 19 quickly, but after a 7-0 run, Southern Utah regained the lead at 26-19. The Lancers answered with back-to-back threes from Shawnee Nordstrom and Nhug Bosch Duran to cut the lead to one.
Over the last four minutes of play in the first half, Samantha Johnston led SUU on a 17-3 run, helping stretch the lead to 43-28 at the half.
Third quarter
The Lancers came out in the third quarter and dominated in every aspect. Over the first three minutes, CBU scored nine points and cut the lead to seven.
After a pair of free throws from Sydney Gandy, CBU went on another 7-0 run over the next four minutes to cut the lead to one. Southern Utah struggled from the floor, shooting just 1/17 from the field in the third, and found themselves up only two entering the fourth.
Fourth quarter
California Baptist continued to dominate in the fourth, opening on an 8-3 run and eventually taking a five-point lead with three minutes to play.
Out of a timeout, Johnston hit back-to-back threes for SUU and gave the Thunderbirds the 64-61 lead. After a layup from Grace Schmidt and a missed jumper from Bull, the Lancers had a chance to take the lead late.
Schmidt got the ball off the pick and roll and made the layup with five seconds left to take the lead. SUU had a chance late but turned the ball over and secured the 69-66 win for CBU.
Key statistics
— Southern Utah grabbed 15 offensive rebounds
— Bosch Duran led all scorers with 20 points
— Johnston hit a season-high five three-pointers
What’s next?
Southern Utah will travel to take on Abilene Christian University on Saturday, Feb. 8, at 12 p.m. This game can be streamed on ESPN+.
Author: Jack Paul
Photographer: Gannon Lovisa
Editor: Chevy Blackburn
