SUU Men’s, Women’s Basketball Teams Pick Up Saturday WAC Wins

In a resounding 79-59 victory over the UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros on Saturday night, the men's basketball team at Southern Utah University bounced back into the win column. The Thunderbirds, led by Head Coach Rob Jeter, showcased resilience and determination, overcoming the challenges they've faced throughout the season. With this win, the team improved its overall record to 9-13 and conference play record to 4-6, currently sharing seventh place with Utah Tech and Utah Valley.

Coach Rob Jeter expressed his pride in the team, emphasizing their ability to rebound from adversity. The victory was especially meaningful as it unfolded in front of a supportive home crowd. The game's momentum swung decisively in the Thunderbirds' favor during the first half, closing with an impressive 25-7 run and establishing a commanding 48-28 lead at halftime.

The second half witnessed both teams grappling with challenges, particularly evident in UT Rio Grande Valley's struggle to make field goals. The Vaqueros managed only two field goals in the initial 10 minutes, ultimately finishing with 27% shooting from the floor and a discouraging 2-15 from three-point range.

Key contributors for the Thunderbirds included Zion Young, who delivered a stellar performance with 20 points in just 24 minutes, shooting 6-14 from the floor and 3-9 from beyond the arc. Parsa Fallah added 17 points on an impressive 7-8 shooting, accompanied by five rebounds and two assists. Dominique Ford, though scoring nine points, made crucial contributions on the boards and in playmaking, tying for a team-high eight rebounds and providing two assists.

Noteworthy performances also came from Prophet Johnson, Brock Felder, and Chazz Hutchison, contributing across various aspects of the game. The Thunderbirds set a season-high with 18 assists, showcasing their teamwork and unselfish play. Defensively, they held the Vaqueros to a season-low 29% shooting from the field.

Looking ahead, the Thunderbirds will take their winning momentum on the road. They are set to face Utah Tech on Thursday, February 8, at 7 p.m., followed by a clash with the Grand Canyon Lopes on Saturday, February 10, at 7 p.m. The team aims to carry the energy from this victory into the upcoming challenges, with aspirations of climbing the conference standings.

Meanwhile, on the road in Texas, the Southern Utah University women's basketball team secured a thrilling 68-65 overtime victory against the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley on Saturday. In an impressive display, four players contributed double-digit scores, propelling the Thunderbirds to a 6-14 season record and a 4-7 standing in Western Athletic Conference (WAC) play. The Vaqueros, on the other hand, dropped to 4-16 overall and 3-8 in WAC play. The hard-fought win reflects the Thunderbirds' resilience and determination, positioning them for continued competitiveness in the conference.