HONOLULU (AP) -Jake Nielson scored 29 points and Davis Baker added 20 to rally Southern Utah to a 68-59 win over McNeese State on Monday night in the Rainbow Classic.
Nielson, who was 12-of-17 from the field, also pulled down eight rebounds. Baker was 12-of-13 from the free throw line with eight rebounds.
The Thunderbirds (1-2) trailed 30-25 at halftime but used a 23-8 run early in the second half to take a 48-38 lead with 8:10 to play. Southern Utah led by as many as 13 with 4:19 left, but the Cowboys (0-3) cut it to 58-51 on Patrick Richard's baseline runner with 2:45 left.
Southern Utah hit all 10 of its free throws in the final 1:15 to seal it.
Stephan Martin led McNeese State with 17 points and Patrick Richard added 16.
