By: Keller Sherman
Featured Image Courtesy of Southern Utah Athletics
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Southern Utah had all but relinquished a twelve-point halftime lead to Rice. The Owls were ready to head to overtime, but Tevian Jones had other plans. Jones sunk a two-point jumper at the buzzer to help the Thunderbirds escape into the semifinals. They will face Eastern Kentucky, who defeated Indiana State in the game just before SUU’s showdown with Rice. The Thunderbirds and Colonels will face off on Tuesday evening at 5 PM Mountain time.
Last Time Out
Tevian Jones had more than the game-winning basket against Rice. His 30-point output was more than double that of the next highest-scoring Thunderbird. Cameron Healy’s 14 points made him the second-highest scorer of the game. Maizen Fausett went for 11 points while Jason Spurgin fell just short of a double-double. Spurgin finished with 10 rebounds and nine points.
Scouting the Colonels
Devontae Blanton went for 32 points in Eastern Kentucky’s 89-88 overtime win over Indiana State. He can be expected to be a major scoring threat for the Colonels against the Thunderbirds. Isaiah Cozart could provide some trouble on both sides of the ball. Against the Sycamores, he went for 11 points and 10 rebounds recording a double-double. These will be two key players to watch on Tuesday as the Thunderbirds look to punch their ticket to the CBI Championship Game.