Featured Image Courtesy of Southern Utah Athletics
CEDAR CITY, Utah — The lower teams in the WAC have kept it too close for comfort with the Thunderbirds as of late. However, Southern Utah continues to find ways to win. Facing a seven-point deficit with two minutes to go in the half, the Thunderbirds used a 14-0 run that carried over into the second half to open a seven-point lead. However, Tarleton just would not go away. Thankfully, the Thunderbirds led the rest of the way and never let the Texans get closer than two points. That is the kind of perseverance that has helped SUU to a historic 8-0 start in their first season in the WAC.
Stars of the Game
Cherita Daugherty finally started to look like herself again after only scoring fifteen combined points in SUU’s last two games. She nearly matched that total in this game alone recording a double-double with fourteen points and eleven rebounds. Tomekia Whitman shined off the bench once again with fourteen points to tie Daugherty’s output as the leading scorers of the game. Daylani Ballena also hit double figures with ten points. Megan Jensen had nine points and while Lizzy Williamson did not score and only attempted one shot, she had six rebounds.
Gotta Love Those Lancers
California Baptist gave the Thunderbirds a surprising gift on Saturday. They went on the road to Nacogdoches, Texas, and knocked off Stephen F Austin. That dropped the Lumberjacks to 7-2 in WAC play and forced the two teams into a tie for second place. That gives the Thunderbirds a two-game lead for a first place having yet to play either team. The Lancers visit Cedar City on February 28th in the penultimate game of the regular season. SFA comes to the America First Event Center on February 18th.
On Deck
The Thunderbirds face a challenging road trip to Texas. They will head to UT Arlington on Thursday and then head down to Edinburg to face UT Rio Grande Valley on Saturday. While both teams are currently a combined 4-13 in WAC play, they will provide a great test for SUU. An improbable and historic 10-0 start to WAC play is on the table if the Thunderbirds can sweep this road trip.