Opening up conference play in the Western Athletic Conference, the Southern Utah University women’s basketball team hosted Utah Tech University on Monday, Dec. 29. SUU’s offense was firing on all cylinders, defeating the Trailblazers 78-60.
With the win, Southern Utah improves to 9-4 on the year, 1-0 in the WAC and a perfect 6-0 at home. Utah Tech falls to 5-6 on the year and 0-1 in conference play.
First quarter
Utah Tech opened with a three-pointer but SUU responded with a three of their own and a tip-in from Ava Uhrich. Over the next four minutes, the Trailblazers went on a 14-0 run.
SUU closed the gap to single digits but Utah Tech continued to pour it in on offense. The Trailblazers ended the quarter up 23-16.
Second quarter
UTU’s Lauren Crocker opened the second quarter with a three but SUU quickly responded. The T-Birds went on an 8-0 run, attacking from the free-throw line. Despite the quick swing, Utah Tech held onto their lead and went on a 7-1 run of their own.
With under three minutes to play, Utah Tech led by seven but Southern Utah finished the half strong and cut the lead to one.
Third quarter
It was all T-Birds in the third quarter. Southern Utah opened on a 16-1 run through the first six and a half minutes. The UTU offense struggled, shooting 25% from the field and going 0/5 from three in the third.
Utah Tech’s Chardonnay Hartley scored a layup to break the drought just for SUU’s Devyn Keirnan to hit a three. Southern Utah finished the quarter with two free-throws and grabbed a 15-point lead entering the fourth quarter.
Fourth quarter
Looking to close things out, SUU’s Charli Kay and Brooklyn Fely both made layups to amass a 19-point lead. No matter what Utah Tech did on offense, SUU answered right back.
Southern Utah saw their lead get up to as much as 21 and they would eventually win 78-60.
Top T-Birds
— Sierra Chambers led the team with 19 points, going 10/11 from the free-throw line. She also recorded four rebounds, three assists and a steal.
— Fely recorded her fifth double-double of the season, scoring 14 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. She shot 7-14 from inside the three-point line.
— Uhrich also recorded her fifth double-double of the season with 10 points and 11 boards. She notched five assists and two steals as well.
Key statistics
— Southern Utah outrebounded Utah Tech 56-31.
— Paige Cofer finished with a team-high 18 points on 6/13 shooting for UTU.
— SUU dominated with 25 second-chance points compared to only four for Utah Tech.
What’s next?
Southern Utah hits the road to face the University of Texas at Arlington on Saturday, Jan. 3 at 2 p.m. in the College Park Center. This game can also be streamed live on ESPN+.
Author: Jack Paul
Photographer: SUU Athletics
Editor: Payson Davis