Featured Image Courtesy of Southern Utah Athletics
RIVERSIDE, Calif. — Before the game against the school 45 minutes away, Southern Utah will take a road trip quite a bit longer than that. The Thunderbirds make the six-hour trip down to Riverside, California for a game many would consider a “trap game”. Sandwiched between the emotional win over Utah Valley and Saturday’s game at Utah Tech, it’s easy to see why. This is a sneaky good Lancers team not to be taken lightly. Cal Baptist just lost to UT-Rio Grande Valley on Saturday, but that only makes this team more dangerous. The Lancers are desperate to prove they can play with the WAC’s elite. SUU announced itself as a member of that tier with their win Thursday night. They must come back down to Earth quickly and take care of business in this one.
Last Time Out
In an electric America First Event Center with a record student turnout, the Thunderbirds got a big win. SUU is undefeated at home in WAC play, but that seemed to be in jeopardy for a half. Facing a ten-point deficit in the waning seconds of the first half, SUU cut it to five going into the locker room. In the second half, the Thunderbirds came out with a different team. Outscoring UVU 45-28 in the second frame, the Thunderbirds took it 79-67 and there was a court storming in Cedar City.
Lance Up, Be Ready
Cal Baptist lacks the explosive scoring that the Thunderbirds have made a name of themselves for. However, SUU does not always shoot great. The Lancers are capable of taking advantage of a cold-shooting night should the Thunderbirds have one. Taran Armstrong had a combined 43 points in CBU’s two games last week. If the Thunderbirds let him get hot, they will have their hands full.