By: Keller Sherman
Featured Image Courtesy of California Baptist Athletics
CEDAR CITY, Utah — After taking a stunning home loss to Grand Canyon on Wednesday night, Southern Utah will look to bounce back and take some momentum into the WAC tournament. California Baptist comes to town Friday as the Thunderbirds look to end the regular season on a high note. The two teams played an instant classic just over a month ago at the CBU Events Center. In that game, it was the Thunderbirds coming up clutch as they took an exciting 72-71 decision. Can SUU complete the season sweep of the Lancers on their home floor?
Last Time Out
With a majority of students out of town for Spring Break, the Thunderbirds fell on their home floor for only the second time this season. It was also their first home loss in WAC play. SUU opened as big as a 13-point lead midway through the first half, but the Lopes cut it down to 1 point with a 14-3 run. With the game all knotted up at the break, Grand Canyon would open up a 10-point lead of their own late in the 2nd half. Even Maizen Fausett’s career night with 31 points could not bring the Thunderbirds back from this late deficit. SUU got within four with 13 seconds to go, but could not complete the comeback. GCU’s Rayshon Harrison could not be stopped in a 29-point performance.
Scouting the Lancers
Taran Armstrong went off in the first meeting between these teams going for 25 points. If SUU wants to bounce back on Senior Night, he will need to be well-defended. Impressive performances from all of the Thunderbird starters will need to be in the cards as well. All five starters were in double figures in the win over California Baptist in Riverside. Three eclipsed 10 points in Wednesday’s loss to Grand Canyon. Similar efforts will need to be on display Friday if SUU hopes to snap a two-game losing streak.