Courtesy: Deb Hill Challis Pascucci pulled down a game-high 14 rebounds while adding ten points for the double-double
STOCKTON, Calif. - Nov. 17 - Southern Utah women's basketball was within one at the break, but was unable to come away with a victory on Tuesday night as the Thunderbirds fell 67-54 at the University of the Pacific. The loss drops SUU to 0-2 on the year while the Tigers move to 1-1.
Southern Utah opened the first half slowly, falling behind 19-5 after coming out of the gates with 11 turnovers and shooting 0-for-5. However, the T-Birds began to find their groove and create turnovers on the defensive side of the ball to build a 26-13 run over the final stretch of the first half to bring the game to within one (32-31) going into the intermission.
The Thunderbirds did most of their damage in the first half from the charity stripe as SUU connected of 12-of-17 from the line, including a perfect 4-for-4 clip from sophomore Dani Hosking.
Southern Utah opened the second half with a pair of free throws from Stephanie Sampson followed by a jumper by Chanel Thorley to take its first lead of the game at 35-32. The Tigers answered with a basket of their own to start a 7-0 run, leading to a 39-32 margin and an advantage that the team would hold down the stretch.
The Thunderbirds cut the lead to four (48-44) with seven minutes to play, but four successful possessions by Pacific kick started a 10-0 run that all but wrapped up the game for the home team. Back-to-back 3-pointers by Jadie Parsons and Cassie Burgess in the waning seconds punctuated the Thunderbirds' scoring on the night.
Thorley led the the T-Birds with 16 points and pulled down eight rebounds, while teammate Challis Pascucci led the team with a game-high 14 rebounds and ten points for her first double-double of the season. Emma Head led the Tigers with 13 points and was one of 12 players for Pacific to see time in the game.
Southern Utah will remain on the road as the team will travel to Ogden on Thursday afternoon for a matinee game with the Weber State Wildcats. Tip off for that game is scheduled for Noon.
Courtesy: Deb Hill
