The UTRGV women’s basketball team lost on the road against the Southern Utah Thunderbirds 73-66 on Thursday at America First Event Center in Cedar City, UT.
Sophomore Iyana Dorsey led UTRGV (9-15, 3-10 WAC) with 21 points, on 8-of-19 shooting, with two rebounds, two assists, and a steal. Sophomore KaCee Kyle chipped in with nine points, four rebounds, and three assists. Sophomore Deborah Ogayemi added five points with six rebounds.
Southern Utah (16-8, 12-1 WAC) was led Charita Daugherty who scored 32 points with six rebounds. Daylani Ballena scored 13 points with four rebounds and three assists and Megan Jensen added eighth points with four blocks.
In the second half, the Vaqueros put together a 13-4 run that was highlighted by 3-pointers from junior Mele Kailahi, Kyle and junior Arianna Sturdivant, which tied the game at 42-42. After the Thunderbirds regained the lead, the Vaqueros scored the final nine points of the third quarter to take the 51-46 lead. UTRGV outscored Southern Utah 22-8 in the third quarter.
UTRGV opened the fourth with a layup from Soysal that extended their lead to 53-46 but Southern Utah took advantage of the free throw line in the final quarter to claw their way back. After four straight free throws by the Thunderbirds, Dorsey knocked down a three-pointer and Ogayemi made a layup to push their lead to 58-52 but the Thunderbirds followed with a15-2 run to take the lead for good.
The Vaqueros will be back in action at 3 p.mm. Saturday when they visit Utah Tech.