CEDAR CITY, Utah – The Southern Utah University women’s basketball team opened its season at the America First Event Center on Monday, Nov. 2, against the University of Redlands. The T-Birds earned a dominant victory with a final score of 87-31 and also set a new program record for rebounds, recording 75 throughout the game. SUU will start the season 1-0 as they prepare for Big Sky Conference play starting in December.
First half
The Thunderbird offense came out hard on Monday night, opening with the first 12 points and keeping the Redlands from scoring early. The Redlands scored their first point from the free-throw line but were only able to put up four points in the opening 10 minutes of play, compared to SUU’s 18.
Forward Ava Uhrich opened with a jumper, followed by guard Melicia Nelson, forward Denver Anderson and guard Kortney Doman, all of them completing layups early in the first half. Forward Brooklyn Fely contributed back-to-back shots, and with help from Uhrich and Anderson, the T-Birds extended the lead to 26-8.
Diana Sorrondo scored nine of her first-half points in the final five minutes of the half, and a free throw from guard Bella Hasan gave the Thunderbirds their biggest lead so far. The Redlands scored late, including a three-pointer, but it wasn’t enough to catch up. SUU went into the half up 38-17.
Second half
Southern Utah came out ready to keep their lead through the second half and had an unanswered 10-point stretch. Anderson and Uhrich stayed key players; Anderson put up two layups and Uhrich had six more points during the run.
The Bulldogs were able to complete a three-pointer and a jumper, but Sorrondo was quick to respond with six more points. Guard Vallory Kuelker made all three of her free throw attempts and put SUU up 63-28.
SUU remained in control throughout the remaining 10 minutes of play. Fely scored eight of her 14 points for the night through four layups while guard Charli Kay scored SUU’s only three-pointer of the game.
After a free throw from the Bulldogs, the Thunderbirds were able to close on a 12-0 run. Forward Emily Scholtes brought the score to 87-31 with two free throws in the last 20 seconds of regulation.
Southern Utah’s rebounding skills were the highlight of the game, breaking the previous record of 74 rebounds against Arizona Christian University in 2013. This created scoring opportunities for the T-Birds, which resulted in 18 second-chance points against the Redlands.
Up next
The Thunderbirds have put themselves in a great position ahead of the 2026-27 season. They will look to continue their momentum this week against New Mexico State University. The matchup is set to take place on Friday, Nov. 6, at 11 a.m. in the Pan American Center.
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Author: Lexie Nelson
Photo by SUU Athletics
Editor: Payson Davis
sports@suunews.net
