Recording their fourth win in five games, the Southern Utah University women’s basketball team hosted Utah Valley University on Thursday, Jan. 8. The T-Birds jumped out to an early lead that they never relinquished, winning 76-68.
With the victory, SUU holds an 11-4 record and is on a three-game winning streak. They’re a perfect 3-0 against opponents in the Western Athletic Conference.
UVU fell to a 9-6 record on the season and are 2-2 in the WAC. They’ve lost three of their last five games.
First quarter
The game started out even, with every score being matched by the opposite team soon after. UVU took a three-point lead after four minutes, and SUU took the lead a minute later.
The T-Birds closed the quarter on a huge 16-2 run with eight points from star forward Ava Uhrich. Southern Utah held Utah Valley to shooting 0-5 from the field over that stretch and led 22-11 at the end of the period.
Second quarter
After a quick three from Morgan Trigueiro, the Wolverines stormed back with a 13-2 run to cut the lead to three.
Trigueiro hit another three before a pair of turnovers from both teams forced a media timeout with four minutes left. UVU cut the deficit to three again before SUU scored seven straight points to end the quarter.
Third quarter
The Thunderbirds emerged from the half scoring seven of the quarter’s first nine points. The Wolverines then scored seven points in a row to drop the lead to single digits with three and a half minutes left.
SUU made three baskets in less than a minute near the tail end of the period. Sierra Chambers scored a triple and a layup to keep the T-Birds ahead by 15 points. They ended up leading 57-44 entering the final 10 minutes.
Fourth quarter
After Chambers opened with a three-point play, UVU scored 13 straight points over the next three minutes to close the gap to a three-point lead. SUU was held to shooting 0-6 from the field over that stretch.
Then the balance of the game shifted. Southern Utah knocked down several clutch threes to prop up their lead to 11 with under two minutes to go.
SUU’s late-game defense preserved their lead as UVU made just four shots in the final seven minutes. They held off the Wolverines to win 76-68.
Top T-Birds
— Chambers had 13 points and a rebound.
— Brooklyn Fely nearly had a double-double with 10 points, nine rebounds and an assist.
— Trigueiro cashed in 12 points, an assist and a block. She shot 4-6 from three in 17 bench minutes.
— Uhrich had a monster performance with team leads of 20 points, 16 rebounds and five assists. She’s 0.7 rebounds per game away from averaging a double-double this season.
What’s next?
SUU will stay at home for their next game as they host California Baptist University on Saturday, Jan. 10 at 2 p.m.
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Author: Payson Davis
Photographer: SUU Athletics
Editor: Brooklyn Beard
