The Cloud County Thunderbird men played some of their basketball of the season going toe to toe with a physical Neosho team. The T-Birds won almost every statistical category, except the score. The Panthers edged Cloud 73-70.

Cloud and Neosho battled back and forth down the stretch. The T-Birds had the ball and trailed by one with 35.1 seconds remaining. Dejuan Sherman fell to the ground with the basketball causing a jump ball, giving the ball back to Neosho. Cloud then forced a jump ball on the inbound to get the ball back with 15.1 seconds, still trailing 70-71. Henry Cornelious found Duby Maduegbunam slashing under the basket but Maduegbunam was knocked off balance upon catching the ball and traveled, giving it back to Neosho. Neosho sealed it with two free throws and won 73-70. 

The T-Birds jumped out in the first half and took an early 9-3 lead. Neosho stormed back with a 12-3 run to go ahead 15-11. Maduegbunam hit three big first half three point shots to keep Cloud in control for much of the first half. The two teams traded leads five times in the half. Aamahne Santos scored Cloud's last eight points of the half and the Thunderbirds took a 35-32 lead into break.

Neosho came out of halftime and assembled a 17-3 run and appeared to be pulling away. Cloud trailed by 11 at 38-49 with just under 12 minutes to play. Cardarius Williams missed much of the first half with two fouls but lit a spark in the second half fueling a comeback for the T-Birds. All ten of Williams' points came in the second half. Cloud grabbed the lead back for the first time at the 5:37 mark when Williams sunk two free throws. The teams traded leads seven times in the final 5:34 and it was Neosho who was on top in the end. 

Cloud got a huge night from freshman Duby Maduegbunam. Maduegbunam had a game high 18 points and also pulled down 11 rebounds. Santos added 13 points and 5 assists. Williams had 10 points and 7 rebounds. Sherman had a solid night with 8 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists.

The Thunderbirds out-rebounded Neosho who was second in Region VI in rebounding entering the contest. Cloud shot 41.5% from the field and 40.9% (9-22) from three. The T-Birds held Neosho to 38.2% shooting and 15.8% from three.

Cloud is now 7-8 on the season and 0-4 in league play. They will now enter a much needed Christmas break before returning on January 2nd at Butler Community College.