In a game with enormous implications for the Western Athletic Conference Tournament, the Southern Utah University women’s basketball team hosted Abilene Christian University on Wednesday, Feb. 19, in the America First Event Center.
Defense was the name of the game as Southern Utah came out on top 49-46 and held Abilene Christian to shoot 27.9% from the field and an astonishing 4.8% from three.
With the win, SUU is now 7-19 on the year, 5-8 in WAC play, and on a three-game win streak. ACU falls to 16-10 on the season and 5-6 in conference play.
First quarter
Points came at a premium in the first quarter, as neither team scored more than nine points. Southern Utah quickly got out to a 9-4 lead off of a pair of threes from Daylani Ballena.
Over the last five minutes of play, both teams went cold on offense. ACU struggled on offense but was able to tie the game at nine, heading into quarter two.
Second quarter
Right out of the timeout, Southern Utah scored five quick points that prompted a timeout from the Wildcats. Abilene Christian proceeded to go on a 12-4 run over the next seven minutes to take a three-point lead with 1:47 left in the half.
Jumpers from Lexi Bull and Sierra Chambers with a minute left in the game closed the gap to just one, as ACU led 25-24 going into halftime.
Third quarter
It was a back-and-forth third quarter, with neither team gaining a huge advantage. Erin Woodson and Meridith Mayes helped give the Wildcats a three-point lead late.
With under 30 seconds in the quarter, freshman Kourtney Doman hit a last-second layup to give SUU a one-point lead into the fourth quarter.
Fourth quarter
Both teams continued to play tight basketball, with neither team able to pull ahead. Mayes scored a massive layup with three minutes to play to give ACU a one-point lead.
With the game coming down the stretch, SUU turned to Ballena to take control on offense. Ballena scored the final four points for Southern Utah and gave the T-Birds a three-point lead.
With a chance to tie the game, ACU had the ball with 15 seconds left but couldn’t get a shot off, giving SUU the 49-46 win.
Key statistics
— Mayes led all scorers with 21 points
— SUU scored 12 bench points compared to ACU’s two
— ACU forced 21 Southern Utah turnovers
What’s next?
Southern Utah is back in action when they host Utah Tech University on Thursday, Feb. 27, at 6:30 p.m. in the America First Event Center. This game can also be streamed on ESPN+.
Author: Jack Paul
Photographer: SUU Athletics
Editor: Chevy Blackburn
