The comeback of comebacks: Thunderbirds reach WAC final after trailing by 21

Southern Utah's Tevian Jones (55), who hit the game-winning 3-pointer and free throw against Utah Valley University, celebrates with Thunderbird fans at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, Nev., on Friday, March 10, 2023 | Photo courtesy of Western Athletic Conference, St. George News

ST. GEORGE — They led once in the second half. For a total of 4 seconds.

Southern Utah coach Todd Simon discusses strategy with the Thunderbirds at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, Nev., on Friday, March 10, 2023 | Photo courtesy of Western Athletic Conference, St. George News

But that’s all the Southern Utah University men’s basketball team needed in order to complete a most improbable and dramatic comeback in the Hercules Tires Western Athletic Conference semi-final contest Friday night.

The No. 3 Thunderbirds edged No. 2 Utah Valley University 89-88, the winning margin coming compliments of  Tevian Jones, whose 4-point play via an acrobatic 3-pointer and foul shot with :04 remaining provided the difference.

The remarkable victory — SUU’s second such win in as many nights — propelled the No. 3 seed into Saturday’s championship game against No. 5 Grand Canyon University, which knocked off top seed Sam Houston State 78-75. Tip-off is slated for 9:30 p.m. MT at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas.

Southern Utah had survived a physical battle Thursday night against regional rival Utah Tech, besting the No. 11 Trailblazers 76-75 to advance to Friday’s semi-final. And by the end of the first half against the Wolverines, it appeared as if the effort the Thunderbirds expended against Utah Tech might have left their collective tanks nearly empty.

Leading 41-33, Utah Valley went on a 12-0 run in the first 2:30 of the second half. During that span, Thunderbirds Coach Todd Simon picked up a technical foul, and SUU had two turnovers, had three shots blocked and missed four shots. The Wolverines, in turn, capitalized by hitting both technical free throws and followed with a bucket, eventually going up 61-39 at the 15:04 mark.

Southern Utah’s Harrison Butler rises for a shot against Utah Valley University at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, Nev., on Friday, March 10, 2023 | Photo courtesy of Western Athletic Conference, St. George News

But the Thunderbirds weren’t done.

Drake Allen and Jason Spurgin both hit buckets, Harrison Butler added a dunk, a lay-up and a free throw and at the 10:46 mark, SUU had closed the gap to 63-50. The Wolverines responded by hitting a series of free throws and 3-pointers to stretch the lead to 75-59 with 6:32 left in the game.

What transpired in the final chapter of the game made Jones’ last-second heroics possible as he, Butler and Dee Barnes seemed to heat up, each hitting key shots. Meanwhile, the SUU defense stiffened, forcing three Wolverine turnovers in a span of 3 minutes, and Southern Utah was in business at 81-71 with 4:40 to play.

Utah Valley’s Le’tre Darthard made one free throw but missed the second. Barnes grabbed the rebound and found Jones for a 3-point attempt. Jones missed the shot but was fouled on the play and calmly drilled all three foul shots, closing the gap to 81-74. Wolverine Blaze Nield hit one charity, but Butler answered for SUU, drilling a trey to creep even closer at 82-77 at the 2:44 mark.

Maizen Fausett and Butler each hit single free throws and Jones deposited a dunk at 1:18, making the score 82-81. But Woodbury dunked on a fast break and Harmon hit a short jumper for UVU to extend the lead to 86-81 with 36 seconds on the clock.

A Fausett layup made it 86-83 with 28 ticks remaining, and after Fausett snared a defensive rebound, Utah Valley’s Woodbury fouled Cameron Healy, who hit both foul shots, pulling SUU back to 86-85. Then with 12 seconds left, SUU had no choice but to foul. Jones sent Darthard to the line, and he hit both shots, making the score 88-85 with only 10 seconds to go.

The Thunderbirds pushed the ball up the court off the inbounds, Jones elevated from just outside the 3-point line from the right elbow, hit the shot and was fouled by Darthard. Neither team had any timeouts remaining, so Jones went straight to the foul line and deposited the game-winning shot.

Jones led SUU with 20 points, while Butler had 19, Spurgin 15 and Healy 14.

The Thunderbirds are now 22-11 overall, while UVU finished the season at 25-7.

Click here for the box score.

The SUU women are also in the conference final. Click here to read more.

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