After a three-game win streak, the Southern Utah University Men’s basketball team suffered yet another road loss in a high-scoring game. The Thunderbirds took on rival Utah Tech University on Saturday, Jan. 24 with the Trailblazers clinching the win 102-91 despite a scoring avalanche from Jaiden Feroah.
The Thunderbirds now fall to 7-14 on the season and 3-5 against Western Athletic Conference teams. Playing on the road continues to be a struggle for SUU, as they hold a 1-12 record away from home.
Trailblazers hold on to the No.4 spot in the conference, which the Thunderbirds would have taken with a win. They now have an overall 11-11 record and a 4-4 conference record.
First half
Southern Utah put up the first points of the night on a Dylan Jones triple. The Trailblazers were quick to respond and take an early lead. After a short scoring drought, Elijah Duval put the Thunderbirds back ahead before the Trailblazers went on a 12-2 run.
Utah Tech continued to score, growing their lead. The Thunderbirds showed they still had some fight, battling to narrow the lead to two points and eventually knotting the score at 39 with under four minutes in the half. The Trailblazers exploded for a 10-0 run to take a considerable lead before halftime.
The Thunderbirds left the court down 52-43 at the half.
Second half
The Trailblazers started on a 6-2 run and regained a double-digit lead even after six straight points from Feroah. SUU kept an even intensity but couldn’t trim the lead to single digits for several minutes.
Feroah kept pouring on the points, hitting a triple to kick off a 9-0 run by the T-Birds. The lead sat at four points with six minutes left, but that was as low as it would go.
Southern Utah kept the fire on offense, but Utah Tech outclassed them down the stretch. They ended the game on a 7-2 run and took the 102-91 victory.
Key stats
– The Thunderbirds gave up nine turnovers against the Trailblazers’ three.
– Feroah posted the most points scored by a T-Bird this season.
– The Thunderbirds’ bench only scored four combined points.
– Feroah and Duval combined for a total of 63 points.
Top T-Birds
– Feroah had a career night, recording 35 points and 12 rebounds. This was his third consecutive double-double.
– Isaiah Cottrell notched eight points, two rebounds, two assists and three blocks.
– Duval scored a season-high 28 points. He also led the team in assists with eight, adding seven rebounds along with a steal and a block.
– Jones put up nine points, two rebounds, and an assist.
What’s next?
The Thunderbirds will continue playing on the road and travel to Texas to face the University of Texas at Arlington on Thursday, Jan. 29. The teams have faced off once this season, with UT Arlington getting the 86-77 win.
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Author: Andrew Streeter
Photographer: SUU Athletics
Editor: Payson Davis