Looking to start 3-0 for the first time since 2016-17, the Southern Utah University women’s basketball team traveled to face Eastern Washington University on Thursday, Nov. 13. Led by a career night from Sierra Chambers, Southern Utah outlasted Eastern Washington 74-68.
With the win, Southern Utah improves to 3-0 on the year and 1-0 on the road. Eastern Washington falls to 1-2 on the season and 1-1 at home.
First quarter
SUU came out firing in the first three minutes, hitting two threes and a driving layup to take an 8-4 lead. After Eastern Washington tied things up at eight, SUU went on a 10-2 run.
With just over a minute remaining in the quarter, Denver Anderson and Chambers both hit three-pointers to give SUU a 24-18 lead after 10 minutes.
Second quarter
Opening the second quarter, EWU’s Kourtney Grossman made a driving layup. SUU’s Ashley Banks responded, scoring six of Southern Utah’s next nine points and giving the T-Birds an eight-point lead.
SUU finished the half strong, going on a 7-2 run to take a 40-27 lead at half. Chambers led the T-Birds with 10 points, followed by Kortney Doman with seven.
Third quarter
Both teams came out firing in the third quarter and traded buckets as SUU’s lead dipped below 10. Grossman hit a pair of free throws midway through the quarter to cut the lead to eight.
Ava Uhrich and Chambers responded well, hitting back-to-back shots to extend the lead back to 13. SUU found themselves up 59-46 heading into the fourth quarter.
Fourth quarter
Despite being down double digits, EWU didn’t go down without a fight. The Eagles opened the final quarter on a 14-3 run, cutting the lead to 62-60 with six minutes left.
Brooklyn Fely and Chambers answered back quickly, scoring eight points and extending the lead to 10. After back-to-back threes from Eastern Washington, Fely and Uhrich both hit two free throws to seal the 74-68 win.
Key stats
— EWU recorded 10 steals compared to SUU’s three, as the T-Birds committed 16 turnovers to the Eagles’ six. EWU scored 17 points off turnovers to SUU’s two.
— EWU shot just 29.6% from the field but 34.6% from three, going 12-45 inside the arc.
— SUU shot 43.1% from the field and 33.3% from three. Outside of Chambers’ 1-7 shooting from three, the team shot 5-11 outside the arc.
— Bench players scored 17 of SUU’s points compared to seven of EWU’s.
— SUU went 12-13 from the free-throw line and EWU went 17-18.
Top performers
— Playing 20 minutes for the first time since March 13, 2024, Banks recorded a season-high six points to go along with three blocks, two rebounds and an assist off the bench.
— Chambers scored a career-high 18 points on 8-16 shooting, including 7-9 inside the three-point line.
— EWU’s Jaecy Eggers led all players with 21 points to go along with eight rebounds, an assist and a block.
— Fely recorded her third straight double-double with 11 points and 14 rebounds along with two assists, a block and a steal. She and Doman led all players in rebounds.
— Uhrich continued ramping up, recording 19 points and five rebounds despite foul trouble.
What’s next?
Southern Utah will head to Moscow, Idaho to face the University of Idaho on Saturday, Nov. 15 at 2 p.m. This game can be streamed live on ESPN+.
Author: Jack Paul
Photographer: SUU Athletics
Editor: Payson Davis
