By: Keller Sherman
Featured Image Courtesy of Southern Utah Athletics
HUNTSVILLE, Texas — Taking a 34-31 lead with 16:32 left, Sam Houston put the foot on the gas. A three-point lead quickly turned into a ten-point deficit. A 19-6 Bearkat run lasting 10 minutes made it 40-50. Sam Houston stretched its lead out to as much as 12 points, but the Thunderbirds got it within four with 29 seconds to go. However, SUU could not complete the comeback fouling twice and missing two three-point shots. Sam Houston held on for the 64-57 win that made the road to a WAC regular season title for the Thunderbirds complex. The Bearkat win puts them within one game of UVU for 1st place in the WAC standings. SUU fell into a tie with Stephen F Austin for third.
Good Effort
Southern Utah’s high-flying offense was largely grounded on Saturday. The 57-point output was their lowest point total of the season. Only three Thunderbirds reached double figures led by Tevian Jones’ 15. Drake Allen was right behind with 14 and Harrison Butler scored 10. Maizen Fausett had 10 rebounds, but only 3 points coming nowhere near a double-double. Jason Spurgin had 0 points on the night, but all 3 of SUU’s blocks on the night. Dee Barnes and Cameron Healy combined for 15 points off the bench.
Home Sweet Home
The Thunderbirds won’t play another true road game this season. SUU finished 4-5 on the road in conference play this season. All but one of those wins came by four points or less while three of the five losses came by exactly seven points. That means SUU gets to play its last two conference games at home where they are undefeated in WAC play. Grand Canyon and California Baptist are on deck for Wednesday and Friday respectively. The meeting with the Antelopes will be the first of the season. Meanwhile, the Thunderbirds and Lancers will have a rematch of SUU’s thrilling 72-71 win in Riverside from February 1st.