The Southern Utah University women’s basketball team has started the season with two victories, defeating Washington State University on Saturday, Nov. 8 in the America First Event Center by a score of 77-64.
SUU now sits at 2-0, their best start since 2022-2023 where they were in the March Madness bracket. Coach Tracy Mason‘s team has dominated so far, outscoring their first two opponents by 61 combined points.
Washington State looked optimistic at the beginning of the year with a 21-14 record last season, but have struggled to an 0-3 record to start this year. Coach Kamie Ethridge and her program have suffered two 13-point losses in a row after losing by two in their opening game.
First quarter
The Thunderbirds were aggressive from the start, with an early 13-6 lead thanks to the scoring of Brooklyn Fely. Fely recorded her second double-double of the year, leading the T-Birds with 20 points and 13 rebounds.
Washington State put up a fight to get ahead, but Fely’s free throws and two layups from Sierra Chambers kept SUU up 21-19 after the first ten minutes of the game.
Chambers was second on SUU in points with 17 and led the team with six assists. The sophomore from Danville, California has had an impressive start to the season in a continuation of her strong rookie year.
Second quarter
SUU played great defense this quarter and held the Cougars to nine points. WSU shot 3-13 and went 0-7 from three.
Despite SUU missing all six three-point attempts during the second quarter, their defense still expanded the lead, giving them a 34-28 lead at the half.
Third quarter
The Cougars forced themselves up with eight straight points to take the lead, forcing SUU to take a timeout. However, WSU found themselves down 36-34 after a 10-0 SUU run.
Six of WSU’s opening eight points were scored by freshman forward Malia Ruud. Ruud was second on the Cougars in this game with 14 points. WSU’s leading scorer was Eleonora Villa, who scored 21 points.
Fourth quarter
Washington State made a strong effort to stay in the game. However, they shot 2-8 from outside the line and were limited on offense as SUU took the 77-64 win.
Although it has been a rough start for Washington State this season, Villa has been a bright spot in scoring, steals and shooting. The junior from Lissone, Italy leads the Cougars in scoring with 21 points per game and assists with 3.3 per game.
Key stats
— SUU ended the game shooting 43.8% from the field, 31.6% from three and 75% from the free-throw line with just five attempts.
— SUU dominated at the rim, with 16 second-chance points to WSU’s seven, 40 paint points to WSU’s 26 and 47 rebounds to WSU’s 25.
— SUU had a two-point disadvantage in the third quarter, but otherwise held the lead for the entire game.
Top T-Birds
— Chambers had 17 points, six assists and a rebound.
— Kortney Doman had 11 points, five rebounds, two steals and an assist.
— Fely had 20 points, 13 rebounds, three assists, a steal and a block, earning her Western Athletic Conference Newcomer of the Week and Player of the Week honors.
— Olivia Malafu had five points and six rebounds in 13 minutes off the bench.
— Ava Uhrich had a near double-double with 11 points, nine rebounds, three assists and a block.
Up next
SUU will head to Cheney, Washington to take on Eastern Washington University on Thursday, Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. at Reese Court. The teams will be conference opponents next season when SUU rejoins the Big Sky.
Author: Kaylee Melessa
Photographer: SUU Athletics
Editor: Payson Davis