Utah Valley defeats Southern Utah 89-72
Southern Utah Falls Short at Utah Valley, 89-72
In a closely contested conference matchup, the Utah Valley Wolverines proved too much for the visiting Southern Utah Thunderbirds, capturing a 17-point victory at their home turf, the UCCU Center.
The turning point in the game came at halftime, when the home team took control with a 46-39 lead. The Wolverines maintained this advantage throughout the second half, outscoring the Thunderbirds 43-33 to build an insurmountable gap.
Jackson Holcombe led the way for Utah Valley, posting a triple-double of 23 points, nine rebounds, and five assists. Braden Housley chipped in with six assists and four points, further emphasizing the Wolverines' balance on both ends of the court.
For Southern Utah, Jaiden Feroah emerged as a key contributor, scoring 14 points and grabbing six rebounds while dishing out five assists. Despite this strong showing, the Thunderbirds struggled to keep pace with the Wolverines' relentless attack.
The Wolverines' offensive efficiency was on full display, shooting an impressive 55% from the field and converting at a 63% clip from the free throw line. Utah Valley's superior rebounding margin also played a significant role in their victory, as they out-hauled Southern Utah by nine.
Southern Utah's shooting woes were evident, as the Thunderbirds struggled to find their range behind the arc, making just 48% of their attempts. This lack of three-point production proved costly, as the Wolverines capitalized on missed shots with their own scoring opportunities.
The final margin was 17 points, a testament to Utah Valley's dominance throughout the contest. In contrast, Southern Utah struggled to close the gap, ultimately falling short in a crucial conference matchup.
With this victory, the Wolverines take a significant step forward in their conference standings, while Southern Utah looks to regroup and refocus ahead of its next challenge.