SUU Comes Up Short In Close Contest With ISU
1/28/15
Cedar City, Utah – The Southern Utah University women’s basketball team was back in Centrum Arena Thursday night for a matchup against the Idaho State Bengals. The contest proved to be a back-and-forth affair, featuring 11 lead changes and neither team leading by more than six points.
Southern Utah senior Jessica Richardson led the charge for the Thunderbirds early on, scoring ten of the Thunderbirds’ 14 first quarter points. The first quarter ended 17-14 in Idaho State’s favor.
The Thunderbirds scored the first field goal of the second period, with the basket dropping at the 7:30 mark. With both teams trading the next few baskets, a Darri Frandsen 18-footer finally tied the game up at 22. A floater by Ashleigh Munns on the ensuing possession gave the Thunderbirds their first lead since early on in the first quarter.
At the half, SUU lead 29-28.
Southern Utah started the half hot, with freshman guard Breanu Reid hitting a three pointer to extend their lead.
SUU stayed in the driver seat for most of the third quarter, maintaining a small lead, until an unforced SUU turnover lead to an Idaho State fast break, which allowed the Bengals to take a 48-47 lead. The lead was short lived, however, as Ashleigh Munns was fouled on a three-point attempt. Munns hit two of three to regain the SUU lead.
As the fourth quarter began, the Thunderbirds had a 50-48 lead. Unfortunately for the Thunderbirds, it was Idaho State who came out hot this time around. The Bengals went on a 12-4 run, making the game 60-54.
Just as the game was looking to get out of hand, Idaho State coach Seton Sobolewski was called for his second technical foul, and ejected from the game. Richardson scored both free throws, and Frandsen scored on the ensuing possession to cut the Bengal lead to just two points.
With just two minutes left in the game, Idaho State held a 65-60 lead. A Jamie Smith jump shot made it a one possession game, but Idaho State’s Anna Policicchio immediately answered back, pushing the game back to 67-62.
At the 00:58 mark, Idaho State led 69-64, but SUU had possession. Jamie Smith delivered a perfect entry pass to Jessica Richardson, which led to a Richardson and-one. Richardson successfully converted on her free throw attempt to make it 69-67 with 49 seconds left.
Idaho State pushed the ball through tight Southern Utah defense, but missed an open jumper. The Thunderbirds grabbed the rebound, giving them possession, down two, with just 13.4 seconds remaining.
Southern Utah opted to go for the win, instead of a tie, finding Smith open for a corner three. Despite her best efforts to get open, Smith’s attempt was blocked, but the ball went out of bounds, giving the Thunderbirds another chance. Unfortunately for the Thunderbirds, they would not even get off a shot, as Smith stepped out of bounds as the ball was inbounded.
The final score of the game was 71-67 in Idaho State’s favor.
Southern Utah head coach Chris Boettcher felt encouraged by his team’s performance, despite the heart breaking result.
“I’m really proud of how our team played tonight. My heart goes out to them, this was a winnable game and they fought like crazy. They did everything they could to give themselves a chance to win, but unfortunately we didn’t make the plays we needed in the fourth quarter to win, and Idaho State did.”
The Thunderbirds were led by Jessica Richardson, who finished with 23 points and 12 rebounds. Reid added 16 points and three rebounds of her own. As a team, the Thunderbirds shot just 32% from the field.
Southern Utah will be back in action in Centrum Arena on Saturday against in-state rival Weber State at 7:00 pm.
Hayden Coombs 