CEDAR CITY, Utah – The Southern Utah University women’s basketball team defeated Park University Gilbert in a 98-56 blowout victory on Monday, Nov. 9, at the America First Event Center. The T-Birds continue to improve with a strong defensive performance; junior Kortney Doman led the team with eight steals, tying for fourth-most in single game program history.
SUU is now 2-1 on the year and Park-Gilbert is 0-2. The T-Birds and Buccaneers have now faced off in each of the last three years. SUU won by at least 40 points in each game.
First half
The Buccaneers opened the game with a 1-0 lead due to an administrative technical foul on Southern Utah, before Brooklyn Fely answered with a layup. Park-Gilbert had a brief 11-10 lead halfway into the half, but Bella Hasan responded with a three-pointer, setting SUU up for a 16-point scoring run. Going into the tail end of the first, the Thunderbirds were up 26-13.
Southern Utah continued its lead with help from Ava Uhrich, who scored on consecutive possessions. Fely also added several baskets to extend the T-Bird lead to 46-21, but Park-Gilbert responded with a pair of three-pointers. Diana Sorrondo scored at the buzzer to keep SUU ahead, leading 48-27 going into the half.
Fely led the T-Birds in the first half with 12 points and nine rebounds. Uhrich contributed eight points and four assists.
Second half
SUU was able to maintain control after halftime with help from Doman, who continued to create opportunities for the defense. She recorded her seventh steal early in the second followed by a layup from Uhrich. Uhrich converted a three-point play, moving her to No. 7 on SUU’s all-time scoring list with 1,230 points.
The Thunderbirds had a 30-point scoring gap with the Buccaneers going into the last 10 minutes of regulation. Doman had her eighth and final steal of the night, setting up a three-pointer from Charli Kay to bring the score to 75-42.
Southern Utah finished the half strong by adding defensive pressure and fast-break scoring, including a three-pointer and two free throws from Amiah Lewis. Vallory Kuelker added two more steals in the final two minutes to help Southern Utah close out the 98-56 victory.
Uhrich led all scorers with 19 points for the night. Fely finished with 18 points, while Doman contributed 13 points in addition to her eight steals.
The Thunderbirds are looking for another victory this week. They’ll play their second away game of the season against Washington State University on Friday, Nov. 13. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Beasley Coliseum in Pullman, Wash., and the game will be streamed on ESPN+.
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Author: Lexie Nelson
Photo by SUU Athletics
Editor: Payson Davis
sports@suunews.net