Southern Utah Struggles From Field In Loss To Sam Houston

Feb 25, 2023, 5:34 PM | Updated: 8:34 pm

Digital Sports Producer

SALT LAKE CITY – Southern Utah struggled all night with the Bearkats’ pressure, shooting 30.4 percent (17-of-56 FG) in a 64-57 loss to Sam Houston.

The Thunderbirds (19-10, 11-5) traveled to Huntsville, Texas to take on the Sam Houston Bearkats (22-6, 12-4) in a battle of second and third place in the Western Athletic Conference.

FINAL.#TBirdNation pic.twitter.com/dopkVBaq8i

— SUU Men's Basketball (@SUUBasketball) February 26, 2023

SUU entered riding a two-game winning streak. The Thunderbirds held off UT-Arlington 86-76 in their most recent game.

Sam Houston has won four straight and nine of their last ten games. They beat the Lancers of Cal-Baptist in their last game, 56-45.

Tevian Jones led SUU with 15 points while adding seven boards and three assists. Drake Allen added 14 while Harrison Butler scored ten. Allen and Butler each fouled out late.

Qua Grant led all scorers with 22 points on 8-of-16 shooting. Lamar Wilkerson dropped 15 points in the win.

First Half

Tevian Jones and Maizen Fausett got the Thunderbirds started on the right foot. The duo scored five quick points and SUU took an early 5-2 lead.

There were two lead changes and two ties in the opening minutes as two of the WAC’s best battled. Sam Houston was able to capitalize on ten Thunderbird turnovers in the opening 15 minutes to take a 17-14 lead.

Late in the half, back-to-back threes from Drake Allen and Cameron Healy evened the score at 25 with 1:46 left.

All tied up at the half 👀🍿#TBirdNation pic.twitter.com/sKbmePpXJz

— SUU Men's Basketball (@SUUBasketball) February 25, 2023

Second Half

Allen started the second half with a steal and breakaway slam.

Drake with the steal 'n slam 😤#TBirdNation pic.twitter.com/ii1HaJsr5o

— SUU Men's Basketball (@SUUBasketball) February 25, 2023

Both teams struggled to score in the half-court as the defenses stepped up.

Midway through the half, Sam Houston held a 40-35 advantage. SUU had made just two of their first 11 shots in the half.

With Sam Houston in front by eight, Tevian Jones hit his third three of the night to keep SUU close, 43-38.

.@TheReal_TJones is a 🪣🔥#TBirdNation pic.twitter.com/3lXW14sXNd

— SUU Men's Basketball (@SUUBasketball) February 25, 2023

Kaosi Ezeagu gave the Bearkats their largest lead with a vicious two-handed dunk that put them in front 54-42 with 4:13 to play.

Southern Utah trimmed the lead to four but couldn’t overcome their poor shooting all night long. The Thunderbirds shot 25 percent (8-of-32 FG) in the second half.

Up Next

Southern Utah returns to Cedar City where they will close out the 2023 WAC regular season with a pair of home games.

The Thunderbirds will host the Grand Canyon Antelopes (18-11, 8-7) on Wednesday, March 1. California Baptist (15-13, 6-8) then comes calling on Friday, March 3. Tip-off for each of these games is scheduled for 7 p.m. (MT).