Southern Utah Defense Shuts Down Lumberjacks In Decisive Win

SALT LAKE CITY – With the Big Sky Conference Tournament less than three weeks away, third-place Southern Utah got an important win over Northern Arizona 79-48.

Northern Arizona (5-11, 8-19) hosted the Thunderbirds (11-5, 17-9) at Walkup SkyDome in Flagstaff, AZ on Monday, February 21.

.@TheReal_TJones getting things started in Flagstaff 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/awi7c3fGBp

— SUU Men's Basketball (@SUUBasketball) February 22, 2022

The game quickly turned ugly for the Lumberjacks. After scoring the first four points, Southern Utah ripped off a 15-0 run, opening up a double-digit advantage before most of the crowd had found their seats.

While limiting the Lumberjacks to 25 percent first half shooting, Southern Utah built a 31-14 halftime advantage.

The Thunderbirds hit six first half triples compared to an 0-8 performance from Northern Arizona. The Lumberjacks also failed to attempt a free throw in the first half while SUU went 7-10 from the charity stripe.

.@__Flemlife in on the action now 💪💪 pic.twitter.com/Yx6fKUKhMW

— SUU Men's Basketball (@SUUBasketball) February 22, 2022

A 10-2 Northern Arizona run out of the break brought the Lumberjacks within nine. After a timeout, SUU went a 15-2 run of their own, building a 48-26 lead with 12:41 remaining. NAU missed seven of nine shots during the Thunderbird run.

The win over Northern Arizona completes a season sweep for SUU.

Four players scored in double figures for the Thunderbirds, led by 12 apiece for Maizen Fausett and Tevian Jones.

rebound + assist courtesy @TheReal_TJones
👌 from our guy @AJMoody9 pic.twitter.com/fXhokz84FH

— SUU Men's Basketball (@SUUBasketball) February 22, 2022

Carson Towt led the Lumberjacks with 11 points and six assists.

The Thunderbirds return to the America First Event Center in Cedar City where they will host the Montana Grizzlies on Thursday, February 24. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. (MDT).

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