In a continuation of their shocking hot streak, the Southern Utah University men’s basketball team ended a perfect homestand against top program Utah Valley University on Wednesday, Jan. 21. The T-Birds survived a 26-point performance by Jackson Holcombe to win 84-70.
SUU is now on a three-game winning streak in a complete reversal of their fortunes earlier in the season. They hold a 7-13 record and are tied for fourth place in the Western Athletic Conference with a 3-4 standing.
UVU is still the top team in the WAC, but fell to 15-5 with a 5-2 conference record after this game. Before this contest, they had won 13 of their last 15 games.
First half
The teams took a while to start firing on all cylinders. Dylan Jones then helped SUU take the lead four minutes in with a triple from the logo. A steal from Elijah Duval set SUU up for a larger advantage, which they kept for almost the entire half.
Southern Utah saw its lead grow to as much as six multiple times. Out of nowhere, a 10-3 run from the Wolverines put the T-Birds down one point with 16 seconds left. Duval raced down the court to score with a few seconds left, and SUU entered the half up 35-34.
Both teams were playing hard on the block this half. UVU scored 24 of their 34 points in the paint, which helped to offset their 1-11 shooting from three.
SUU wasn’t taking many fouls or charges to start the game and had just two shots at the free-throw line. Their on-ball offense was looking much stronger than previously in the season as they prepped for the second half.
Second half
The first four shots of the half all saw the lead switch sides. Neither team could pull ahead until a Jaiden Feroah three put SUU up six points. That shot came during a 13-3 run from the T-Birds that gave them an eight-point lead after 10 minutes.
The Thunderbirds kept their feet on the gas, but the Wolverines were showing lots of grit. SUU scored eight straight points late before UVU erased it with a 9-0 run of their own. The teams were within five points with just two minutes remaining.
Fortunately for SUU though, that was all the fight Utah Valley had left. Southern Utah scored the final nine points of the game to grab a comfortable 84-70 victory. Over that stretch, UVU missed eight shots, including three straight triples to end the half.
Key stats
— SUU has won three games in a row for the first time this season.
— This was by far SUU’s best shooting night of the season. They shot over 50% from the field for the second time this year and over 50% from three for the first time this year.
— Every SUU starter scored in the double digits.
— Southern Utah seems to be benefitting from a slower, more deliberate pace of play. They scored just six fast break points with zero in the first half.
Top T-Birds
— Isaiah Cottrell followed up a career game last time out with another great showing. He had 15 points, 12 rebounds, two blocks and a steal.
— Duval posted 14 points, six assists, five rebounds and a steal. He shot 8-10 from the free-throw line, accounting for half of SUU’s makes and attempts from the stripe.
— Feroah had a flashy night, recording 18 points, 11 rebounds, five assists, a block and a steal. He and Cottrell also recorded double-doubles in the previous game.
— Tanner Hayhurst cashed in 14 points, seven rebounds and three assists.
— Jones had 11 points, a rebound and an assist.
What’s next?
SUU will close the month on a road trip, facing Utah Tech University on Saturday, Jan. 24 at 7 p.m. in St. George, Utah. The Trailblazers beat the Thunderbirds 80-66 on Dec. 29.
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Author: Payson Davis
Photographer: SUU Athletics
Editor: Isaac Hirschi
