State basketball roundup: Travel catches up with SUU

FT. WAYNE, Ind. — Jackson Stevenett scored 19 points and pulled down seven rebounds but Southern Utah showed the effects of eight days on the road Tuesday night as IPFW claimed a 79-58 win over the Thunderbirds. The loss snapped SUU's modest three-game winning streak and dropped them to 2-2 in Summit League play (7-7 overall) while IPFW improved to 2-3 in league play (8-6 overall).

Coming off perhaps their best game of the year in a 91-77 win last Friday at UMKC the Thunderbirds struggled, particularly down the stretch, committing 17 turnovers, finishing out a season-low seven assists and losing the rebound battle 34-27. The 58 points are SUU's second-lowest total of the season.

After shooting 53 percent in the first half, the Thunderbirds finished at 44 percent (20-of-45). SUU also had its worst free throw shooting performance in the last seven games, hitting just 18-of-26 attempts (69 percent), marking the first time the team has been below 70 percent since the Southern Virginia game on Nov. 23.

"I thought we came out and had heavy legs, we were a step slow, our legs were not there," SUU coach Roger Reid said. "The guys were trying, the guys played hard, but sometimes the travel shows up and I think it did tonight. We got two wins on this road trip though, and although we're disappointed to lose tonight, we lost to a good team that really played well against us tonight. ?

"We rarely get out-rebounded and tonight we just weren't able to keep up on the boards," Reid said. "I think our foul troubles also had something to do with being a tired team."? The Thunderbirds' only lead came after Matt Massey scored inside to give SUU a 2-0 advantage. The Mastodons scored the next seven points, however and although the biggest IPFW lead in the period was nine the Thunderbirds weren't able to get back within three in the rest of the half. IPFW took a 36-29 lead into the break.

Frank Gaines scored on a put-back to give IPFW a 38-29 lead early in the second half but the Thunderbirds battled back to pull within 42-39 on a 3-point play by Damon Heuir. The Mastodons pulled away, however, pushing the advantage back to nine at 50-41 on a Justin Jordan layup at the 11:11 mark.

Two minutes later Jordan hit a 3-pointer to push the IPFW advantage to 55-45 and the Thunderbirds were not able to get back within single digits.

In addition to his 19 points Stevenett pulled down a team-high seven rebounds, blocked two shots and had a pair of steals. Ramell Taylor, who finished with 10 points, was the only other Thunderbird to break into double figures.