Pratt, KS

It is not the start that Chad Eshbaugh and the Thunderbirds hoped for. An 88-77 loss to Pratt on Saturday afternoon drops the T-Birds to 7-6 overall and 0-3 in conference.

Under the old format of play, teams were allowed the first semester to establish roles and gain rythym before getting into Jayhawk Conference play after Christmas. Now that the traditional east and west divisions have combined, conference play started in November and the freshman laden Thunderbirds are still searching for their way.

Cloud jumped out and grabbed an early lead over the Beavers. The two teams traded baskets and battled for the first 12 minutes befores Pratt started to pull away. The T-Birds led 24-22 with 9:45 left in the 1st half. The Beavers would then pull ahead and go on a run to stretch their lead to 46-34 at the halftime break.

Pratt continued to extend their lead early in the second half leading by as much as 20. Dejuan Sherman scored six of his eight points on the night in a flurry of consecutive possessions to cut the Beavers lead to 73-61 at the 9:00 mark.

The T-Birds would not get any closer than 12 though until Jesse Patrick sunk a late three to make the final score 88-77.

Cloud County played shot the ball better from long range sinking 9 of 21 (43%) from three. Pratt outrebounded the Thunderbirds 37-34 on the night.

Demonte Ojinnaka returned to normal after being shutout at Cowley on Wednesday night. Ojinnaka had 17 to lead the T-Birds. Aamahne Santos had 13 and dished out 4 assists. Devonte Dixon added 10 points.

The T-Birds will take a break from conference play, as they will head to Southeast Community College on Wednesday. Cloud edged the Storm at home 83-82 to open the season. Tipoff is set for 7:00pm.