SUU MBB Falls to Stephen F. Austin

SUU played a hard fought game on Saturday but came up just short against SFA.

You heard the game on 590 KSUB in Cedar City.

Here's the press release from SUU Athletics by Parker Haynie, Assistant Director of Communications: (link to full article)

CEDAR CITY, UTAH -- Thunderbirds fall to 0-5 in conference play with their third straight loss.

A controversial offensive foul called on Braden Housley wiped off a bucket that would have given SUU a two-point lead with eight seconds left to play, and the Lumberjacks capitalized as AJ Cajuste went the length of the floor for a layup that Jamari Sibley goaltended. Housley's half-court shot attempt came up just short off the front of the rim and the Thunderbirds lost at home, 82-84.

Game Recap
A back and forth game throughout, with neither team ever leading by double-digits. SFA's largest lead was nine points, 78-69, with 6:51 left to play. The Thunderbirds allowed just six points to be scored over the next 6:51 and nearly pulled off the upset.

Statistical Recap
The most impressive stat from the game was SUU going 27-28 from the free throw line, at one point they were 22-22. They shot 50% from the field and were led by Dominique Ford who had 20 points with five rebounds and one assist. Zion Young had 14 points on the night, including 3-6 from three and an efficient 4-9 from the field. Six players scored in double figures for the Thunderbirds, Parsa Fallah (13), Jamari Sibley (12), Braden Housley (10), and Prophet Johnson (10). Sibley also led the team with six rebounds and Housley had seven assists to pace the Thunderbirds.

"Heartbreak, ya know? You play that whole game, and to lose it the way we did, I just really feel for my guys. I really wanted them to get a win tonight," said Head Coach Rob Jeter.

SFA was led by Matt Hayman who scored 24 points on 9-12 from the field and 4-5 from three. Day Day Hall poured in 16 of his own on 6-7 from the floor. The Lumberjacks forced 18 turnovers in the game, a statistic in which they lead the WAC.

SUU was outscored in the paint 50-28.

"We hope that we can fill the arena next week, it is obviously a big rivalry game and we are looking forward to the atmosphere that the crowd can bring and help us get a win," concluded, Jeter.

Up Next
The Thunderbirds will be back at home next Thursday, Jan 18, as the feud on 15 continues with Utah Tech traveling to Cedar City. Tipoff will be at 6:30 p.m.