Playing their third road game in a row, the Southern Utah University men’s basketball team faced Washington State University on Wednesday, Nov. 19. Southern Utah battled, but ultimately fell short 98-74.
With the loss, Southern Utah is 1-5 to begin the season and is 0-4 away from Cedar City. SUU has been outscored by an average of 33.6 points a game over their current three-game losing streak. This is their worst start through six games since the 2015-16 season.
Washington State improves to 2-3 on the year and 2-2 at home.
First half
Southern Utah came out of the tipoff in rhythm, taking a 7-4 lead through the first four minutes. Transfer guard Dylan Jones then entered the game and made an instant impact. Jones hit two threes in a two minute span, giving SUU a 16-12 lead through the first six minutes of play.
After another made basket from Jones, Washington State responded with a 13-2 run over a two minute span to give the Cougars a five-point lead.
With five minutes remaining in the half, WSU went on a 15-5 run, hitting two threes and taking a 54-40 lead going into the break. Despite SUU being down 14, Jones was on fire with 19 points.
Second half
Both teams traded baskets through the first five minutes. Washington State would then go on a commanding 19-2 run over the next four minutes of play, led by Ace Glass III. The freshman guard scored eight of WSU’s 19 points during that span.
Not wanting to go down without a fight, SUU did a great job responding out of a timeout. The T-Birds went on a 13-5 run with Jaiden Feroah leading the charge. Feroah made a nice layup and corner three to keep SUU in contention.
With four minutes left in the game, Washington State buckled down and sealed the win with some strong defense and a potent presence in the paint. The Cougars would go on to win 98-74.
Key statistics
— Washington State shot a blistering 57.4% from the field.
— SUU had their best three-point game of the season, shooting 40%, but Jones was the only player with more than one make or more than three attempts.
— The Cougars had 48 points in the paint compared to the T-Birds’ 32, and got 21 second-chance points to SUU’s four.
— SUU scored 14 fast break points and limited Washington State to just two.
Top T-Birds
— Isaiah Cottrell recorded nine points and tied a team lead with four rebounds.
— Jones finished with a team-high 24 points, tying a career high, and went 5-10 from the three-point line while recording four rebounds.
— Feroah was first on the team with two blocks and notched 11 points and four rebounds.
— SUU saw 11 different players record a basket.
What’s next?
Southern Utah returns home to face Nobel University on Saturday, Nov. 22 at 6:30 p.m. in the America First Event Center. This game can also be streamed live on ESPN+.
Author: Jack Paul
Photographer: SUU Athletics
Editor: Payson Davis
