Cloud County could not have asked for a better way to start the 2015-16 season and opening of the new Erkenbrack Court. In front of a great opening night crowd, Cloud edged Southeast Community College 83-82 in a pressure packed ballgame that featured ten lead changes. 

The Thunderbirds took some time to get the first game jitters out in the first half. Southeast jumped out to a 14-7 lead as Cloud struggled to connect. Duby Maduegbunam broke the ice for the T-Birds with a three and a dunk on back to back possessions. Maduegbunam finished with a game high 20 points in his Cloud County debut. The Freshman from Boston, MA came off the bench to shoot 5-8 from the field and 8-9 from the free throw line.

Cloud took their first lead, 23-21 on a rebound put-back by Cherif Fall. From there the Thunderbirds remained in charge all the way to the half time break.

Sophomore Cardarius Williams had a big first half getting all eight of his points in the first half. Williams was the first Thunderbird to score on Erkenbrack Court. He also had two dunks to fuel the T-Bird 1^st half.

Southeast buried a 25 foot guarded three to cut the T-Birds lead to 44-40 at half.

The T-Birds started the second half just like the first as they struggled to get going early on. Southeast used a 23-6 run to open the second half and pull in front. The Storm led by as many as ten points midway through the second half.

Freshman Rashun Allen hit two big three point shots to cut Southeast's lead to four. The freshman from Salina, KS opened his college career with a 14 point performance and shot a perfect 5-5 from the field.

The lead would change six times over the last eight minutes and it was Aamahne Santos and Henry Cornelious hitting big shots down the stretch to keep Thunderbird momentum.

Santos found himself at the line with 5.8 seconds and the T-Birds trailing 81-82. Santos, a freshman from Dorchester, MA sunk both free throws to put Cloud ahead. The T-Birds held on to win 83-82. Santos had eight points and eight assists in his first career game as a T-Bird.

Maduegbunam led all scorers on the night with 20. Cloud got a big night from Freshman Henry Cornelious. Cornelious, a transfer from the University of Idaho, poured in 15 and led the T-Birds with 7 rebounds. 

Cloud shot 46.7% from the field on the night including 38.9% from three. Cloud outrebounded the Storm 40-34, despite Southeast having a large size advantage. 

The T-Birds now hit the road as they head to the Moberly Area Community College Classic on November 5-7. Cloud will play Kennedy King College, North American University and Moberly Community College in the Classic. They do not return home until November 17th when they host York College JV at 7:00pm.