T-Birds Tournament Hopes Dim With Loss To Utah Valley

In a gripping showdown, the Men's Basketball team at Southern Utah University (SUU) narrowly missed out on victory as Zion Young's last-second three-pointer bounced off the rim, sealing a 75-78 win for Utah Valley University (UVU). Despite the disappointment, Head Coach Rob Jeter praised his team's resilience and emphasized the importance of their values: Faith, Family, Humility, and Discipline.

The game started with SUU in control, leading by one point at halftime and building an early 11-point lead. However, UVU fought back in the second half, extending their lead to 11 with less than ten minutes remaining. SUU, known for their fighting spirit, clawed their way back into contention, narrowing the gap to just one point with a minute left on the clock. UVU's Caleb Stone-Carrawell's crucial free throws extended the lead to three, and Young's missed three-pointer at the buzzer sealed SUU's fate, leaving them at 4-11 in conference play.

Despite the loss, SUU showcased their depth with five players scoring in double digits. Parsa Fallah led the team with 19 points and nine rebounds, while Jamari Sibley secured his first double-double of the season with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Braden Housley contributed 10 points and eight assists, narrowly missing a double-double, while Dominique Ford added 16 points, and Young finished with 13.

However, SUU struggled from beyond the arc, making only three of their 18 attempts, hindering their comeback efforts. Coach Jeter highlighted the team's defensive lapses, emphasizing the need to complement their scoring prowess with solid defensive stops.

Looking ahead, SUU will face UT Arlington on the road next Thursday, aiming to bounce back from this defeat and strengthen their position in the conference standings. As they continue their season, SUU will draw upon their resilience and values to overcome challenges and strive for success on the court.