Cedar City, Utah — In a thrilling matchup on Thursday night, Southern Utah triumphed over Utah Tech with a narrow score of 76-74. The game was highlighted by Jamir Simpson’s exceptional performance, where he scored 17 points to lead the Thunderbirds to victory.
Simpson’s shooting performance included 5 out of 13 from the floor, with two successful shots from beyond the arc and five out of six free throws made. Following him, Jeffrey Langston Jr. contributed 12 points, demonstrating accuracy with a 3 of 7 shooting effort from the field and a perfect 6 for 6 from the free-throw line, while also grabbing six rebounds. Meanwhile, Dominique Ford struggled a bit with his shooting but still managed to score 11 points, making four of his four shots from the free-throw line despite hitting only 3 of 14 from the field and 1 of 8 from long range.
The game’s finale came down to the last moments when Javi Jackson attempted a jumper that was blocked by Beon Riley. However, Langston showcased his quick thinking by securing the offensive rebound and completing the putback to seal the win for Southern Utah.
Utah Tech was spearheaded by Madiba Owona, who delivered a strong performance with 22 points alongside two blocks. Beon Riley supported the Trailblazers with 17 points, while Noa Gonsalves added to their effort with 13 points and seven boards. Unfortunately, this defeat marked the seventh consecutive loss for the Trailblazers, who are struggling in their season.
Looking ahead, both teams are set to return to action on Saturday. Southern Utah will face off against Utah Valley in their home arena, while Utah Tech is scheduled to take on Cal Baptist on the road.
This exciting game showcased the resilience and talent of both teams, setting the stage for a competitive finish to the season for both squads.
