T-Birds Drop Close One in Las Cruces

LAS CRUCES, NEW MEXICO -- A 14-point comeback came up just short for SUU, and the Thunderbirds fall to 8-4 on the year after a 69-72 loss to the Aggies of New Mexico State.

Head Coach Rob Jeter said

"I thought we played a pretty solid game. There were a few situations that we need to clean up, securing rebounds and taking care of the basketball, but overall we battled, and I am proud of that."

Top T-Birds

• Brock Felder was phenomenal. He scored 14 points on 5-6 from the field, secured seven rebounds, dished three assists, and had FIVE blocked shots.
• Dominique Ford led the Thunderbirds in scoring with 19 points on four made three-pointers.
• Jamir Simpson and Jamari Sibley both added 12 points for SUU.

Game Recap

The Thunderbirds trailed for the first 18 minutes of the first half, but a tip-in layup by Jeffrey JT Langston Jr helped SUU take a 30-29. A made three-pointer by Dominique Ford with 40 seconds left in the half meant the Thunderbirds took a 33-32 lead into the break.

New Mexico State started the second half on a 15-2 run, including two made threes and an and-1. The lead ballooned to 14 by the 13:00 minute mark. Brock Felder and Ford put together an unbelievable run, a tough offensive rebound, and a turn-around layup by Felder, and the lead was just one for the Aggies.

A beautiful slip pass by Felder to a cutting Jamari Sibley and the game was tied with 3:20 left.

The Thunderbirds never regained the lead, and a half-court heave from Tavi Jackson dropped at the buzzer to make the final score 69-72.

SUU shot 41% from the field and 31% from three.

Up Next

The Thunderbirds will travel to Edinburg, Texas, to take on the Vaqueros of Texas Rio Grand Valley on Wednesday, December 18, at 5:30 p.m.