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Show nnwL. m TDOORS SOUTHERN UTAH STATE COLLEGE, CEDAR CITY n V't'S my. J-- -- - ft .1 "Sy 3 JMi iufe MONDAY, JANUARY 30, 1989 PAGE 9 - -- 1 fS THE THUNDERBIRD ti , I I BY BRENT RICHEY SUSC basketball Head Coach Neil Roberts might have told his club about the one that got away. Or he may have reminded the Birds of the huge whale that sw allowed Jonah. Both fish stories were appropriate Saturday night as the Division I whale swallowed SUSC on the road again as Chicago State got away with a 95-8- 2 prize. It was just close enough that you could taste it, Roberts said. Roberts mouth must have watered when Jerry Naulls hit two of his 37 total points at the foul line with 2:54 left in the game to cut the Cougar lead to six, 84-7The two points capped off a 17-- 5 Southern Utah run. But instead of playing dead, the Cougars reeled off nine straight free throws and a bucket to notch the win. Tonight the Birds have an invitation to Cajun Country to take on a tough New Orleans club. A five-hobus ride and tomorrow SUSC is ready for its third meeting with N.E. Louisiana. After Saturdays loss, the Birds fall five games below .500 at Roberts still hopes to finish the season at .500 or better, but his club must win six of its last seven games, only two of which are played at home. The road has been brutal on the young SUSC team, causing 12 of its losses. The Birds won their only road game against NAU Dec. 3. The current swing started Tuesday. We didnt play well against Arkansas, said Roberts of the 109-7- 6 loss, and we certainly didnt play well tonight. I hate to say this, but I think this was the worst game weve since been 19 Ive SUSC. Roberts got at from Chris played Naulls and 12 from DaVor Marcelic to go with Jerrys 37. SU also outrebounded the Coogs 36-3- 2 with Chris Naulls grabbing eight. Gerald Collins had 30 points for CSU hitting on 10 of 13 from the field, two of three from three-poiland, and eight of 10 from the line. Rod Hull had 18 and Laurent Crawford added 17 to go with his 10 boards. The game was lost for the Birds at the line as CSU sunk 33 of 43 free throws, while SUSC made the trip only 14 times hitting 13. Four Birds starters fouled out of the game to add to Southern 33 total Utahs personals. Randy Simkins went out with almost eight minutes left to play, Kelvin Lee left with four points, and Marcelic and Chris Naulls both sat out the final ticks. Leading 47-3- 7 at halftime, Chicago State shot a blistering 57 percent from the field in the first half, and did not let up much, finishing at 55 percent. The Birds shot 43 percent for the game Freshman Chris Koford has made an impact off the bench for SUSC this year. His 15 blocked shots leads the and 46 percent in the first half. Birds, and he also averages 5.1 points arid 3.3 rebounds. 8. ur 3. nt Grid rematches, rivalries set for 89 SUSC football continues to wind its gears for the last years close finish. A 34-3- 2 Bronco triumph put 1989 season countdown. Though still seven months a damper on Bird hopes of n play. 49-3schedule is next 0 near and close loss at the hands of Weber State A away, complete years recruiting continues to upgrade the squad. early last season could prove even closer Oct. 14 Thunderbirds kickoff the season Sept. 2 at Saint when the Birds play the Cats in Ogden, their second Big Sky foe. A 24-2- 1 lead after a comeback Marys College. Last years Gael gridders were 11-- 0 and emerged as a Division II threat. was short-live- d as the Wilcats punched the ball into The Birds play their first game at Thunderbird the end zone twice late in the game. Stadium Sept. 9 against Angelo State. SUSC took k conference championships, Boasting a beating last year in San Angelo, Tx. at the hands the Portland State Vikings pioneer their way to of the Rams, 30-Cedar City Oct. 21. SUSC is still looking for its first win against PSU after three humbling defeats. Sept. 16 Southern Utah revives its competition with Big Sky opponents traveling to Idaho State. The Birds lay a win streak on the line The following week, Sept. 23, remains open as Cal Lutheran in Thousand Oaks Oct. 28. against schedule-maker- s look to add a home game. Last year, scrappy play went down to the wire for Western Football Conference action gets the third consecutive year with SUSC coming out underway for the Birds Sept. 30 when they play at on top at home 24-2last years conference runner-up- , Sacramento State. A bad snap over the punters head at Cal Poly Birds The San Luis Obispo could be a revenge factor as the spoiled the Hornets appearance at d Thunderbird Stadium last year handing the Mustangs bring their defense to Cedar City Nov. offense in the WFC one of only two 4, the last Bird home game of the season. conference losses. Finishing off the 89 season Nov. 11 the Birds Oct. 7 SUSC hosts Santa Clara in a replay of travel to Cal State Northridge. post-seaso- NEW ORLEANS TONIGHT Thunderbirds: Jerry Naulls had a season-hig- h 6:30 37 points against CSU, and should be in good form against the smaller UNO team. Roger McDonald has had trouble finding a groove offensively in the Bird offense. Rebounding continues to worry coach Neil Roberts. Privateers: A very balanced team, UNO averages five players in double figures. However, the tallest Privateer is 6 8, and the starting center is 6 5. Rebounding has been a problem for UNO this year. Key: One factor tonight will be to see if Southern Utah can take the ball inside against the evenly matched Privateers. If the Birds can score early from the post and the perimeter, they have a good shot. back-to-bac- 7. 1. top-rate- |
