Following a five-game losing streak, the Southern Utah University men’s basketball team continued on the road to play California Baptist University on Thursday, Feb. 6. SUU fought hard, and snuck away with a 60-57 win over CBU.
With the win, SUU improves to 10-13 overall and 2-7 in the Western Athletic Conference. CBU falls to 11-14 and 4-4 in the WAC.
First half
Once again without starters Dominique Ford and Tavi Jackson Southern Utah needed someone to step up offensively and they were able to find that offensive production from Hercy Miller who started in place of Ford.
CBU jumped out to an early 12-2 lead and it seemed as though SUU was going to have a long uphill battle for them to come out with a win.
With eight minutes left in the half, Southern Utah went on a 14-3 run to take an eight-point lead. The last four minutes was back and forth and finished with SUU up 33-27.
Second half
SUU started the second half executing the offense with perfection and built an 11-point lead which would be their biggest of the night.
However, CBU surged back, led by Dominique Daniels Jr. By the final three minutes, the once 11-point lead became a one-point lead.
With time nearly expired, Adam Moussa of CBU had a chance to take the lead if he converted on both of his free-throw attempts. Moussa missed both free-throws and the battle continued in the last seconds of the game. Jamir Simpson knocked down two big free-throws to seal the game and SUU walked away with a 60-57 victory.
Key stats
—- Simpson of SUU led all scorers with 22
—- SUU pulled down 17 offensive rebounds
—- Daniels Jr led CBU with 18 points
What’s next?
SUU will return home to host Abilene Christian University on Saturday, Feb. 8, at 6:30 p.m., You can watch the game in person at the American First Event Center or streamed live on ESPN+.
Author: Preston Ferry
Photographer: Gannon Lovisa
Editor: Jack Paul
