After facing off less than two weeks ago, the Southern Utah University men’s basketball team looks for redemption when they face Abilene Christian University on Thursday, Feb. 20, at 6 p.m., in Abilene, Texas.
“We did some good things last week. We proved that we can play with anybody in the conference. It is just about limiting mistakes and not beating ourselves.” Said Head Coach Rob Jeter.
“ACU beat us at home, so we gotta go in there and get some payback.”
Southern Utah
The Thunderbirds enter the week 11-15 on the year and 3-9 in the Western Athletic Conference. Southern Utah struggled in their last meeting with Abilene Christian, falling to the Wildcats 84-70 on Feb. 8.
The defense struggled to contain ACU’s offense, giving up 84 points on 55.4% shooting from the field and 55.6% from three. The 84 points given up to the Wildcats is the most SUU has given up in a conference game this year.
Although SUU struggled against ACU earlier, the T-Birds were without starting guard Tavi Jackson. With Southern Utah now fully healthy, they will look to take down the Wildcats with their dynamic guard trio of Jamir Simpson, Dominique Ford and Jackson.
Abilene Christian
One spot ahead of Southern Utah in the WAC standings is ACU. The Wildcats are 12-13 on the year, 4-6 in conference play, and are on a three-game winning streak.
With a win against SUU, Abilene Christian can lengthen the distance between SUU and that eighth seed and secure a spot in the WAC Tournament.
The offense has been running on all cylinders for ACU during their three-game winning streak. The Wildcats are averaging 81.6 points per game on 56.3% shooting from the field.
In their win against SUU, it was Hunter Jack Madden who dominated for ACU. The senior from Sydney, Australia, scored 22 points on 7/11 shooting from the field and 4/6 from three.
Southern Utah is 2-2 all-time against Abilene Christian.
Author: Jack Paul
Photographer: Gannon Lovisa
Editor: Chevy Blackburn
