Featured Image Courtesy of Southern Utah Athletics
CEDAR CITY, Utah — Many students had already left Cedar City for Christmas Break. However, those that stuck around and were a part of the announced attendance of 873 got to witness an all-time classic. The Thunderbirds found a way to win despite a career day from NAU’s Jalen Cone who had 45 points. Tevian Jones had a season-high 31 points while Harrison Butler and Drake Allen had career days. Butler had 23 points while Allen had 22. Together, the three combined for 76 of SUU’s 106 points.
Notables
The Thunderbirds became the No 1 scoring offense in the country averaging 91 points per game. Butler joined an elite company becoming the tenth player to score more than 1200 points in their career. Five players have hit four figures in career points under Todd Simon. Three of those are currently playing for SUU in Maizen Fausett, Butler, and Jones.
Back and Forth
Neither team led by more than 6 points at any point in the contest. Even then, the Lumberjacks’ 9-3 lead came early in the 1st half, and from that point forward, no one led by more than 5 at any given point. The defense was largely nonexistent in this game as both teams passed the century mark, going to overtime tied at 92 apiece. Had the teams shot better from distance, they could have easily gotten into triple digits in regulation.
Battle Tested
The Thunderbirds certainly would have liked to have won this game more comfortably. However, they will benefit greatly from a stiff test by the Lumberjacks as WAC play looms large with only one nonconference game to go. Winners of five of their last six, SUU has plenty of momentum moving forward. NAU for their part showed that they can make some noise in the Big Sky this season after a valiant effort against one of the top teams in the WAC.
Next Up
The non-conference slate comes to a close for SUU as they play their second game of the year against a power conference opponent. The Thunderbirds took defending national champion Kansas to the wire in their last such outing. Can they put up a similar effort against one of the Pac-12’s perennial contenders in Colorado?