The Southern Utah University men’s basketball team traveled to Texas to take on Abilene Christian University on Saturday, Jan. 31. The Thunderbirds fought back hard to overcome a deficit and came out on top, winning 79-76.
SUU improved to 8-15 overall and have prevented a three-game losing streak. The T-Birds are 4-6 in conference play and secured their first true away win of the season.
The Wildcats now fall to 10-11 overall and 2-6 in the conference. They are now on a four-game losing streak.
First half
The Thunderbirds started this game off with a slow offensive presence, scoring only four points and having five turnovers at the under-16 timeout. The turnover trend would persist throughout the entirety of the first half.
With under 15 minutes to play, the T-Birds hadn’t managed to score again, and the Wildcats had jumped out to an 11-point lead. SUU was able to find a little offensive rhythm, going on a 7-0 run. ACU responded by going on an 8-0 run capped off by a triple to extend their lead to 13.
Over the last eight minutes of play, the Thunderbirds battled back and cut the lead all the way down to a one-possession game. The half came to a close with the Thunderbirds down 39-36.
Second half
Southern Utah started the second half on the right foot, immediately going on an 8-3 run and cutting the lead to one point. After around four minutes, the Thunderbirds were able to tie the game, but ACU was quick to respond and pull forward.
After a Tanner Hayhurst triple and two made free throws by Elijah Duval, the T-Birds had a two-point edge and their first lead of the game. The Wildcats sank a triple to take back the lead, but Duval matched that and took the lead again. Nine lead changes took place in the second half.
With around four minutes on the clock, ACU hit another three to extend their lead to six. Hayhurst was fouled on a successful shot from beyond the arc for a four-point play. He missed the free throw, but Jaiden Feroah was there to put the basket in to cut the lead to one.
Cale Barclay helped give the Thunderbirds a one-point lead at the 42-second mark, and the T-Birds were able to force a miss on ACU’s possession and extended the lead to three. Duval capitalized on the missed shot, driving down the court for a floater with eight seconds left. ACU’s attempt at a game-trying shot was no good, and a Feroah rebound sealed the victory for the Thunderbirds.
Key stats
– SUU had an ugly 16 turnovers in the first half, but cleaned it up in the second with only six.
– The Thunderbirds shot an incredible 70% inside the three point line, made 18 of 21 free-throw attempts and shot 3-6 from three.
– SUU scored 44 points in the paint and outrebounded ACU 31-17.
– ACU shot 62% on two-pointers, but went just 8-23 from three.
Top T-Birds
— Freshman Cale Barclay had nine points and three rebounds in 18 minutes off the bench.
— Isaiah Cottrell posted 14 points, shooting perfectly from the free throw line while also grabbing 4 rebounds and 3 assists.
— Duval had a career night, leading all players with 27 points and tying for the lead with seven rebounds. He shot 11-13 from the field and also recorded three assists.
— Feroah, although battling foul trouble, put up 16 points and went a perfect 8-8 from the field. He also secured 7 rebounds, an assist and a block.
— Hayhurst had 11 points, two rebounds, two assists and a steal.
What’s next?
The Thunderbirds will head back to Cedar and have a week’s break before they face Tarleton State University. The game will be at 6:30 p.m. in the AFEC on Saturday, Feb. 7. The Thunderbirds are looking for another win against the Texans after beating them in overtime on Jan. 15.
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Author: Andrew Streeter
Photographer: SUU Athletics
Editor: Payson Davis
