Cedar City, UT (Sports Network) - Jackson Stevenett tallied a double-double
with 21 points and 10 rebounds as the Southern Utah Thunderbirds defeated
North Dakota, 79-67, at Centrum Arena in the Big Sky Conference debut for both
teams.
Wade Collie came off the bench to score 18 points for Southern Utah (3-6, 1-0
Big Sky), while Damon Heuir added 13 points. The Thunderbirds are now winners
of three of their last five after dropping their first four games of the year.
For North Dakota (2-7, 0-1), Aaron Anderson had 16 points, while Josh Schuler
put up 11 points. Mitch Wilmer (15 points, 11 rebounds) and Alonzo Traylor (13
points, 11 rebounds) both recorded double-doubles in the setback.
The Thunderbirds built a 39-33 lead at intermission behind 48.4 percent
shooting in the first half. North Dakota shot just 39.3 percent from the
field, but it kept the game close by draining 9-of-10 from the free throw
line.
North Dakota cut its deficit to just three points on four different occasions
in the second half, but it could never overtake the lead. Southern Utah closed
the game out on a 17-8 run over the final three minutes to seal the victory.
Both teams were fantastic from the foul line. North Dakota drained 28-of-35
from the stripe, while Southern Utah was 17-of-20.
GAME NOTES:
The Sports Network