Versus UTRGV

The Thunderbirds earned one of their best wins of the season on Saturday, Feb. 4, against the Vaqueros. Their 84 points as a team made it their third highest-scoring game of the year. It took just four minutes for the Thunderbirds to take the lead and gain firm control. After that, they never looked back. They entered halftime with a nine-point lead, then jumped into double digits as the third quarter began. They led by at least 11 points for the remainder of the game.

Southern Utah’s top scorer was Megan Jensen with 21 points, just one short of her season high. She shot 80% from the field and made all five of her free throw attempts. Four other Thunderbirds also hit double digits, including Tomekia Whitman, Samantha Johnston, Lizzy Williamson, and Cherita Daugherty. Daylani Ballena set them up with her seven assists. Whitman, a guard, led the team in rebounds with six. As a team, SUU had a 61.1% field goal percentage and a 46.2% three-point percentage. 

The Vaqueros were led by Halie Jones, who tied her season-high with 16 points. Her scoring included four three-pointers, also a season high. Charlotte O’Keefe followed closely behind with 14 points. UTRGV gave up 18 turnovers, allowing SUU to score 26 points off of them. The Vaqueros shot 32.8% from the field and 41.2% from three-point range.

Following the loss, UTRGV is now 8-13 overall and 2-8 in conference play. They are 11th of the 13 teams in the WAC.

Versus UT Arlington

Southern Utah took their first WAC loss of the season against the Mavericks on Monday, Feb. 6. Despite the outcome being so close, the game only saw one lead change before the fourth quarter. The Thunderbirds had the upper hand in the game until there were about eight minutes remaining. It was back and forth at that point, and with the game tied and one second left on the clock, the Mavericks’ Starr Jacobs made the game-winning layup. The teams each made 22 field goals, including three from the three-point line. The difference was UTA’s 13 free throws to SUU’s 11. They also tied when it came to overall rebounds with 40 apiece. 

Daugherty led the Thunderbird offense with her sixth 20-point game of the season. She collected six rebounds as well. Johnston and Whitman both hit double digits with 11 and 10 points, respectively. As the tallest player on either team, Williamson used her height to her advantage by earning 12 rebounds and six blocks, her career high for blocks in a single game. She was just two points shy of her eighth double-double on the season. Overall, Southern Utah shot 37.3% from the field and 37.5% from beyond the arc. They also had a free throw percentage of 91.7%.

The game’s top scorer was UTA’s Kayla White, who put up 22 points and was 9 for 19 from the field. Jacobs was second for the Mavericks with 15 and was followed closely by Taleyah Jones with 14. Jacobs also chased down 13 rebounds to earn her seventh double-double of the season. The Mavericks shot 36.1% as a team and had a 33.3% three-point percentage.

UT Arlington improved to 10-13 overall and 4-7 in WAC play. They are ranked ninth in the conference.

Looking ahead

The Thunderbirds’ next game will take place in the America First Event Center against New Mexico State University. It will be on Thursday, Feb. 9, at 3 p.m. MST. It can be streamed on ESPN+ or on Thunder 91.1 KSUU-FM.

Story and photos by: Anden Garfield

andengarfield@suu.edu 

The post Women’s basketball snaps nine-game winning streak appeared first on SUU News.

The Thunderbirds now have a 16-8 overall record and 8-3 record in Western Athletic Conference play.    

SUU versus California Baptist University 

The first half was a competitive affair. Southern Utah jumped to an early 6-3 lead around the 17-minute mark due to a layup by sophomore Jason Spurgin. The Lancers responded with a 7-0 run headlined by sophomore Taran Armstrong. Armstrong finished the game with a career-high 25 points and shot 83% from the field. 

The Thunderbirds responded and tied the game at 10 two minutes later thanks to a free throw by redshirt freshman Parsa Fallah. The rest of the first half was back and forth as both teams scored bucket after bucket. Crucial points from sophomore Drake Allen and senior Maizen Fausett gave the Thunderbirds a 42-38 lead going into halftime. Allen finished with 15 points, while Fausett scored 10 points and corralled seven rebounds. 

The Thunderbirds shot 61% from the field in the first half. 

Allen made a layup to put the Thunderbirds up by six to start the final half. Southern Utah kept a close lead through the early stages of the second half. Graduate guard Riley Batten made a crucial three-pointer for the Lancers to tie the game at 50.

Both teams traded the lead until Spurgin swung the momentum in favor of the Thunderbirds with two huge dunks. Senior Harrison Butler decided to join the trend, slamming home the ball and giving Southern Utah a 65-59 lead. Armstrong responded with a layup and cut the Thunderbird lead to four. On the next drive, senior Tevian Jones hit a crucial three-pointer, and Southern Utah led 68-61. Jones scored 12 points and eight rebounds. 

California Baptist would not give up, cutting the Thunderbird lead to two with three minutes left in regulation. Redshirt sophomore Hunter Goodrick tied it for the Lancers with two minutes left. CBU hit two free throws around the one minute mark to lead 71-69. All season the Thunderbirds have been known to play until the final whistle blows, and that is exactly what they did. Two crucial buckets from Jones put the Thunderbirds up 72-71 with 54 seconds left. 

The final minute went down to the wire, and hope seemed to be lost at three seconds left when a foul was called on Fausett. Goodrick went to the line for the Lancers and missed both free throws; Spurgin grabbed the rebound and was fouled with 1.1 seconds left. Sprugin missed the free throw, and CBU speedily got the rebound and called a timeout. The Lancers inbounded the ball on their own side of the court with 0.9 seconds left.

California Baptist heaved the ball down the court to Armstrong, who put up a desperation shot that almost went in but bounced off the front rim. Southern Utah held on for the 72-71 win. 

SUU versus Utah Tech University 

Utah Tech started strong, shooting 60% from the field and 55% from the three-point line. The Trailblazers jumped to an early lead, but the Thunderbirds trailed by two around the 15-minute mark after a layup from sophomore Drake Allen. Allen finished with 13 points and was 5-5 from the field and 2-2 from the three-point line. After the bucket from Allen, the Trailblazers went on a huge run to take a double-digit lead. 

Utah Tech’s Cameron Gooden led the team in scoring with 26 points and hit a crucial three-pointer to bring the score to 36-19 around the seven minute mark. The Trailblazers entered halftime with a 17-point lead over the Thunderbirds, 47-30. 

Southern Utah shot 33% from the field and 28% from the three-point stripe in the first half. 

The Thunderbirds put all of their effort on the court in the last half. Utah Tech started to pull away after a dunk by Tanner Christensen, leading 52-30. Southern Utah responded with a 13-0 run, bringing Utah Tech’s lead to single digits after a three-pointer from graduate student Cameron Healy. Healy scored 12 out of 13 attempted points during the run and was 4-7 from three-point land. 

The rest of the game was a back-and-forth battle with neither giving an inch. Senior Mazien Fausett made a crucial layup at the 14-minute mark to bring the Thunderbirds within five; Utah Tech led 54-49. Fausett led the Thunderbirds in scoring with 21 points. 

A couple of plays later, Spurgin did the same, bringing the Trailblazers’ lead down to five. Spurgin earned another double-double, finishing with 11 points and ten rebounds. Utah Tech held off multiple pushes from the Thunderbird offense in the late second half and walked away with a 86-79 win. 

Next up

The Thunderbirds will be back at home on Thursday, Feb. 9, to take on Tarleton State University. Tip-off is at 7 p.m. MST. This is the final time the teams will face off in the regular season. 

The game will be held at the America First Event Center and will be streamed on ESPN+. 

Article by: Anthony Colasuono

sports@suunews.net

Photo courtesy of SUU Athletics

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The win not only kept SUU at No. 1 in the Mountain Rim Gymnastics Conference, but with a final score of 196.925-196.475, Southern Utah also earned a new team high score for the 2023 season. 

All-around gymnast Karley McClain also claimed her spot as Gymnast of the Week for the fifth week in a row with a score of 39.475, as well as Floor Specialist of the Week for the fourth week in a row.

Vault

SUU had a slow start on the vault, falling behind almost instantly with a total score of 48.900 while BYU stretched ahead with a 49.225. MRGC’s previous Vault Specialists of the Week, Kayla Pardue and McClain, tied for SUU’s high score on the vault with a 9.825. Another previous Vault Specialist of the Week, Ellie Cacciola, followed with a 9.775. BYU gymnast Sydney Benson took the high score with a 9.875.

Bars

Southern Utah closed the gap considerably on the bars, scoring a 49.250 against BYU’s 48.975. Shylen Murakami earned a 9.900, giving her the second highest score on the bars. McClain took third with a 9.875. BYU’s Lindsey Hunter scored a 9.925, earning her Bar Specialist of the Week. 

Beam

After two events, BYU led the Flippin’ Birds by a narrow margin of 98.200-98.150; however, with excellent performers, SUU was able to pull ahead. Cacciola and Hailey Vultaggio tied for the second highest score with a 9.900. Aubri Schwartze followed with a 9.850. BYU’s Mina Margraf earned both the meet’s high score and Beam Specialist of the Week with a 9.925.

Floor

SUU began their strongest event ahead at 147.425-147.200, and there was no stopping the Flippin’ Birds. Each performance was full of energy and crisp landings. McClain earned a 9.950, the meet’s floor high score. Schwartze followed with a 9.925, and Vultaggio earned a 9.900, the gymnasts claiming second and third high score of the meet. 

Looking Ahead

For the next meet, the Flippin’ Birds will travel to BYU in hopes of maintaining their perfect conference record. The meet will take place on Friday, Feb. 10, at 7 p.m. MST. 

Article By Audrey Gee

sports@suunews.net

Photos courtesy of SUU Athletics 

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Southern Utah

The Thunderbirds have been especially hot this season with their 8-0 start in the Western Athletic Conference competition. Their latest game was a 55-48 win against Tarleton State University, which improved their overall record to 12-7. They currently find themselves at the top of the WAC standings.

Fifth-year guard Cherita Daugherty leads SUU in points per game with 14.7. This also makes her the sixth highest-scoring player in the WAC. She also leads the team in assists, and her four per game puts her top five in the conference. Senior center Megan Jensen’s 11.3 points per game accompanied with a 52.2% field goal percentage makes her one of the top scorers, along with the most accurate. Overall, the Thunderbirds shoot 41.2% from the field and 27.4% from three-point range.

On the defensive side, junior center Lizzy Williamson gets just over two blocks per game, earning her the No. 21 spot nationally in that category. She is second in the WAC for blocks per game but leads in total blocks with 39. She is also the best rebounder in the conference, averaging 10.47 per game. She nearly averages a double-double, just missing the mark on points per game with 9.9. Southern Utah as a whole is No. 1 in the WAC and No. 13 nationally with their 43.42 rebounds per game.

UTRGV

The Vaqueros are 8-12 overall and 2-7 in conference play. They are currently ranked 11th in the WAC following their win against Utah Tech University.

Sophomore guard Iyana Dorsey averages 16.1 points per game for UTRGV, which puts her in the top four in the conference. She shoots just 33.6% from the field, though. Deborah Ogayemi and Mele Kailahi supplement the offense with 10.7 and 10.5 points per game, respectively. Junior guard Jena’ Williams contributes with her team-leading 51 assists through their 20 games. The Vaqueros have a 34.2% field goal percentage and a 27.8% three-point percentage as a team. They do, however, shoot 72.8% from the charity stripe, which is the second best in the conference.

Ogayemi collects 8.1 rebounds per game to lead the Vaqueros in the category. It also puts her third in the conference. Kailahi and Halie Jones each have over 20 steals to help the defense out. Junior forward Zariah Sango has also contributed with her 6’4” frame to block opponents 23 times. As a team, UTRGV is third in the WAC for blocked shots and second for offensive rebounds. 

The Thunderbirds are 3-0 all-time against the Vaqueros and will look to continue their untainted record.

UT Arlington

The Mavericks, having just fallen to a 9-12 overall and 3-6 conference record, are ninth out of the 13 teams in the WAC standings. They will play Utah Tech prior to their matchup against SUU.

Their senior forward Starr Jacobs leads the team and is third in the conference in points per game, averaging 16.6. She does not shoot from long range but shoots 51.2% from the field. Jireh Washington is UTA’s main source of assists, dishing out 4.53 of them per game to make her third in the WAC. As a team, they shoot 42.5% from the field and 28.3% from beyond the arc.

Jacobs is also the Mavericks’ top rebounder and brings in seven per game. In addition, she leads the team and the conference in steals with 60 total and 2.86 per game. Rebounding is not a strength for UTA, as they have been outrebounded in 10 of their 21 games so far, but they average 10 steals per game as a team and are tied for No. 3 in the WAC. 

The Mavericks and the Thunderbirds met once in 2004, and the Mavericks won 62-55. The Thunderbirds will look to even the series.

Tip-off

The matchup against UTRGV will be on Saturday, Feb. 4, at 1 p.m. MST in the UTRGV Fieldhouse. The UT Arlington game will take place Monday, Feb. 6, at 12 p.m. MST at College Park Center. Both games can be streamed on ESPN+.

Story and photos by: Anden Garfield

andengarfield@suu.edu 

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“Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead” follows the titular characters, who are Hamlet’s childhood friends in the Shakespeare play of the same name. At its core, the show is about what Rosencrantz and Guildenstern do during the duration of Hamlet, but it covers themes that are much deeper.

“It’s an exploration of life and death and what it is to be human and what it is to be an actor,” said Allen. “It’s very meta and very existentialist.”

Allen chose to apply for the Black Box Grant to do this show because of the exploration of character and themes within it, which was a quality that was also a draw to the actors involved.

“I think a lot of it has to do with the mortality of characters within their own world and the immortality of actors within the acting world,” said Shay Wilkey, who plays Rosencrantz.

“Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead” is a comedy, but it isn’t afraid of having a deeper meaning than what is made clear on the surface.

“The show itself doesn’t take itself too seriously, but it does have some very serious topics and conversations in it,” said Wilkey. “I think a lot of people don’t pick up on that unless they know that it’s there.”

The show had a very tight rehearsal process, fitting the whole rehearsal and tech process into three weeks. 

“It would have been ideal, obviously, to have more time to memorize things and finalize a bunch of stuff, but it’s been a lot of fun,” said Wilkey.

Due to the condensed rehearsal schedule, Allen allowed the actors to do a lot of their own exploration and blocking, only inserting his own blocking into specific scenes and moments where it was needed.

“I feel like it came together really well,” said Allen. “I’m very proud of where it is right now, and I think it’ll only get better from here.”

Story by: Tessa Cheshire
accent@suunews.net
Photos courtesy of Ro Christiansen

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In 2007, SUU installed a climbing tower in the Physical Education Building to allow students to learn about rock climbing in a controlled, safe setting. This sport has since become very popular among students. The tower has given students an easy opportunity to introduce themselves to both climbing and bouldering training and their safety measures.

Students can climb for free as long as they bring their student I.D. Non-students will need to buy a day pass for $6. Both options include free rentals of a harness, climbing shoes, a locking carabiner and a belay device. Students can bring their own gear or extra items, such as climbing chalk, which is not provided at the tower. Participants should be sure to dress appropriately in moveable clothes.

Those interested in climbing on a rope should visit the tower between 5 and 10 p.m. when SUU Outdoors has staff there. The staff will be happy to answer any questions and walk prospective climbers through how to get started. Before climbing, be sure to fill out a waiver online. 

Bouldering differs from climbing in the height and difficulty of routes. Bouldering does not require a harness or ropes, as climbers only climb to a height from which they could safely fall off the rock. At the climbing tower, students can boulder up until the yellow line without gear. 

Anyone can boulder any time that the P.E. Building is open. These hours vary based on the semester and the season, so check the P.E. Building’s website for an accurate schedule. 

Climbing is much more high stakes, considering the safety precautions that are necessary. Two people are required for one person to climb. One student, known aptly as the climber, climbs the rock while the other, known as the belayer, stays on the ground.

The belayer’s job is to keep the climber safe in case they fall. The belayer and climber are connected by a rope attached to each of their harnesses and to the wall. For those who want to belay, they must see an SUU Outdoors staff member during climbing tower hours to go through a short training course on belay techniques and safety. 

Climbs where the rope is already attached to the top of the wall are known as being on “top rope.” As the climber ascends the wall, the belayer controls the slack left in their rope, eliminating all of it in case the climber falls. 

Lead climbing, where the climber “clips in” to bolts in the wall, is also offered at the tower. These climbers use carabiners to attach their rope to bolts in the wall as they climb. This means that the belayer’s job is to give the climber enough slack in the rope to attach to the wall, but not so much that if they fell, they would hit the ground. 

As a climber, one must learn how to tie the rope to their harness safely and effectively. Most climbers use a knot called a double figure eight. Belayers use a fisherman’s knot and a belay device connected to their harness.

After checking out the tower, students may be interested in the treadwall or the rappel station. Although the rappel station is reserved for large groups, the treadwall, which is located on the third level, is open whenever it is not being used. The same waiver must be filled out, and using the wall requires training from an SUU Outdoors staff member.

For those interested in outdoor climbing, the resources provided at the climbing tower provide excellent foundational knowledge. Before one adventures outdoors to try this sport, going to the climbing tower can help build the confidence, skills and muscles needed to climb. Check out SUU Outdoors trips for future climbing expeditions.

Story by: Lily Brunson
outdoors@suunews.net
Photos by: Devan Call

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Southern Utah University

SUU recently brought home a significant win against Boise State University 196.275-195.700. This win was their first in Idaho since 2008. The meet was their fourth conference win of the season and their eighth overall, helping them to secure the No. 1 ranking in the Mountain Rim Gymnastics Conference. The win also earned SUU two weekly awards, both of which went to Karley McClain. 

McClain was named Floor Specialist of the Week for the third week in a row with a score of 9.900 and Gymnast of the Week for the fourth week in a row with a total of 39.100 points. 

Heading into the match, Kayla Pardue and Ellie Cacciola hold the MRGC top vault score at 9.850.

Shylen Murakami, the top SUU scorer on the uneven bars, is tied for second place in the MGRC. Her teammates McClain and Trista Goodman have both scored 9.900.

Cacciola is tied for the top score on the beam with a 9.925. Aubri Shwartze and Hailey Vultaggio are tied for second with a 9.900. 

On the floor, SUU’s strongest event, McClain and Rachel Smith hold the top spot with a 9.925; their teammates Vultaggio and Schwartze are in the third spot with 9.875.

Brigham Young University

BYU also brought in a win against Utah State University, where they scored a new season-high score of 196.650. This week, gymnasts Allix Mason and Kylie Eaquinto both earned Vault Specialist for the first time this season with a score of 9.850. Elease Rollins earned BYU’s third weekly award with a 9.925 on the beam. Six of their gymnasts also scored new career highs.

Eaquinto and Mason are tied for first with Pardue and Cacciola on the vault with a score of 9.850.

Anyssa Alvarado is tied for second on the uneven bars with Murakami. Lindsey Hunter is tied for third with a score of 9.900.

BYU’s strongest event, the beam, has Rollins tied for first with Cacciola with a 9.925.

Rebekah Bean Ripley is tied with McClain and Smith for first on the floor. Her routine has also received a lot of attention on the internet, with nearly 500,000 views on the Tik Tok video posted by a BYU student. With the buzz surrounding the routine, it is likely there will be extra support for the gymnast this Friday. 

Article by: Audrey Gee

sports@suunews.net

Photo courtesy of andengarfield@suu.edu 

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The Ballroom featured a meal, lion dancing and booths with a variety of experiences, such as having your name written in Chinese or Korean.

Meanwhile, the Rotunda was decorated with posters and pictures as part of an exhibition dedicated to American journalist Helen Foster Snow.

SUU established the Helen Foster Snow Cultural Center on Oct. 7, 2022, and the center’s executive director, Wen Ouyang, thought a celebration of Lunar New Year would be a perfect time to display Snow’s accomplishments across Asia.

Snow, born in Cedar City in 1907, traveled to China in 1931 with aspirations of becoming a writer. She became a talented journalist and author, nationally illuminating conflicts across eastern Asia.

“Helen Foster was very amazing, and when she went to China in 1972, the China-U.S. relationship resumed under the leadership of former President Richard Nixon,” Ouyang said.

Through her writing and humanitarian efforts, Snow bridged gaps between American and Chinese people, earning herself two nominations for the Nobel Peace Prize.

The exhibit gave viewers a legacy to think about while they celebrated the transition into the new year.

Story by: Kale Nelson
life@suunews.net
Photo by: Anden Garfield

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The Prop Shop, located at 1635 N. Bulldog Road, includes space for building and housing all props used by USF.

Ben Hohman, the props director, Marielle Boneau, the assistant props director, and Richard Girtain, the production manager and interim scenery director, will guide visitors on an hour-long tour of what happens behind the scenes at USF.

“We will be touring the scenic construction studio, the prop construction studio and the warehouses where we store scenery, costumes, shoes and props,” Hohman said. “These areas of the Shakespeare Festival are not often open to the public, so it is a rare chance to see where some of the magic happens to get the shows ready each season.”

While there are many essential aspects to the world of theatre, props play a critical role in the development of a scene. 

“Scenery builds the house, and props make it a home,” Hohman said. “The detailed work that production brings to each show helps the audience to be in the place and time of the show and really get into and understand the story.”

Hohman and his staff put hours of effort into making sure the props help bring the onstage action to life, and Hohman is excited to show visitors what it takes.

SUU will continue to provide guided experiences to the public through the end of the semester as part of the 125th anniversary. Information on the tours in upcoming months can be found here.

Story by: Kale Nelson
news@suunews.net
Photo by: Luke McKenzie

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The two nominees, Marie A. Douglas and Ted Kocher, received nominations for separate categories. Douglas was nominated for her work in “Full Circle” as an arranger, while Kocher’s Grammy nomination came from his work on the video game “Call of Duty: Vanguard.”

Douglas, who graduated from SUU with a master’s degree in music technology, helped arrange the album with Sean Ardoin, Kreole Rock and Soul, and the Louisiana State University Golden Band from Tigerland. The album is the first to feature a popular band with a collegiate marching band. 

The album will be competing in the category for best regional roots album against “Halau Hula Keali’i O Nalani,” “Natalie Noelani” by Natalie Ai Kamauu, “Lucky Man” by Nathan & The Zydeco Cha Chas and “Live at the 2022 New Orleans Jazz & Musical Heritage Center” by Ranky Tanky. 

Douglas credits her parents for instilling in her the values she needed to finish her degree. 

“My parents taught me how to read and told me ‘there was a time when you weren’t allowed to read; you weren’t allowed to learn,’” Douglas said. “That has stuck with me my whole life. I have to push myself to the highest level. I feel like I owe that to my parents.”

Like Douglas, Kocher holds a master’s degree in music technology from SUU and is an adjunct professor at the university. 

The soundtrack for the game Call of Duty: Vanguard, which Kocher worked on, is competing in the category for best score soundtrack for video games and other interactive media. The other nominees for the award are “Aliens: Fireteam Elite,” “Assassin’s Creed Valhalla: Dawn of Ragnarok,” “Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy” and “Old World.” 

If Kocher wins the award, he would be a part of the first video game production to win a Grammy, as this is the first year this particular award has been given. However, it would not be the first award that Kocher has won, as he has taken home awards from the Golden Reel, Technical Excellence and Creativity, and the Game Audio Network Guild and received multiple nominations for the British Academy Film Awards. 

Kocher is incredibly proud of the work his team has put into the game and was thrilled to receive the nomination. 

“It was a great moment to be nominated after all that hard work. And beyond the Grammy nomination, the game was widely praised,” Kosher said. “It was an interesting game because there was no dialogue at all in the game; it was very music and sound forward. Our work was a huge part of the experience.”

The 65th Grammy Awards will be held on Sunday, Feb. 5, beginning at 5 p.m. in Los Angeles, California, at the Crypto.com Arena. The awards will be streamed on both CBS and Paramount+.

Story by: Luke McKenzie
news@suunews.net
Photo courtesy of SUU

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