In an overwhelming show of force, the Southern Utah University men’s basketball team claimed their first win of the season in the America First Event Center on Monday, Oct. 2, in Cedar City, Utah. The Thunderbirds took down West Coast Baptist College 134-69.
With this win, the Thunderbirds have set a new record for points scored in a game since at least the 2000-01 season. Southern Utah is now 5-0 against the Eagles and has beaten them in Cedar City each time. The Thunderbirds have never scored under 100 points when facing WCB and have scored over 120 in their last four meetings.
The Thunderbirds have now gone 9-1 when opening at home and have won six home season openers in a row. They never trailed in this game and had greater than a 30-point lead going into the second half.
First half
The Thunderbirds quickly jumped out to a 10-3 lead within the first two minutes after a JaJuan Nicholls layup. Dylan Sanders quickly racked up eight points, sinking two 3-pointers and a layup.
After the Eagles brought the lead to within six, Southern Utah went on a 10-0 run led by returning player Cale Barclay and Nicholls. Juok Riak also contributed in helping to put the Thunderbirds up 22-6.
Freshman Mikhail Protsenko notched 10 points in just over 5 minutes with two dunks, including a putback, while also recording three layups. Riak added two dunks of his own on four total buckets.
Before the half, the Thunderbirds went on a 17-0 run and had three different three-point plays. Chase Degraffenried and Sanders both sank threes and Barclay had his own three-point play. The half came to an end with the Thunderbirds leading 71-35.
Second half
The Thunderbirds started while keeping their momentum, scoring on their first seven possessions coming out of halftime. After the scoring barrage, Southern Utah was ahead 85-35.
Jordan Brown made two free throws and sank a three before DeZhon Hall and Anthony Breland followed with a layup and a fast-break dunk to cap off a 9-0 Thunderbird run.
Southern Utah went into triple-digit scoring with still about 12 minutes left of play after a Rashaad Davis layup. DJ Smith scored 11 of his 13 total points in the second half with a 3-pointer and four layups or dunks.
SUU beat their previous point total record of 126 after a Jalik Nicholls fast-break dunk, and his beyond-the-arc shot was the final score for the Thunderbirds. SUU won 134-69, with an ending point differential of 67 points.
Key stats
– The Thunderbirds outscored the Eagles 98-24 in the paint while also grabbing 54 boards. That includes 17 offensive boards compared to WCB’s 19.
– Three different T-Birds went perfect from the field: 7’1” newcomer Protsenko went 7-for-7, Barclay went 5-for-5 and Sanders shot 4-for-4 including sinking three shots from deep.
– Southern Utah scored 25 points off 15 turnovers while also holding the Eagles to 35% shooting from the field and 26% shooting from three.
– On 56 field goals, the Thunderbirds had 30 assists while only committing six turnovers.
Top T-Birds
– JaJuan Nicholls and Protsenko both tied for a team high of 14 points.
– Smith led the team in rebounds with eight, including three offensive rebounds. He also contributed 13 points.
– Barclay recorded 13 points, going 3-for-3 from the charity stripe and also notching two rebounds and three assists.
– Davis led the team in assists with six total while adding seven points and three boards.
What’s next?
Southern Utah will stay at home to face Grace University (California) on Thursday, Oct. 5, at 6:30 p.m. in the America First Event Center.
Previous men’s basketball article ——– Next men’s basketball article
Author: Andrew Streeter
Photo by SUU Athletics
Editor: Payson Davis
sports@suunews.net
