The Cloud County men got just the start they had been so desperately looking for coming out and nailing five early threes to jump ahead of #16 ranked Hutchinson. However, the Blue Dragons were too much for the T-Birds down the stretch as they came back and won 70-60.

The T-Birds have struggled offensively to start games as of late. That was not the case Saturday night. Aamahne Santos and Devonte Dixon each drained two early threes to put Cloud ahead 18-9 early on. The T-Birds held the lead for nearly all of the first half before Hutch grabbed their first lead right before half at 26-25.

Cloud held the Blue Dragons without a first half three point basket and to just 33.3% shooting in the first half. 

Henry Cornelious quickly scored to open the second half and grab the lead back for the T-Birds at 27-26. Cornelious scored all of his 13 points in a spirited second half effort. He would keep the T-Birds in the game early in the second half with seven straight points while Hutch made a charge. At the 14:40 mark Freshman Cherif Fall completed a conventional three point play to tie the game at 35. Hutchinson star  Bashir Ahmed then nailed a three. Cloud County turned the ball over on the next two posessions and Hutch got two straight dunks to steal the momentum away. Cloud continued to battle but couldn't get over the hump as they eventually fell to the Blue Dragons 70-60.

Despite the hot start to the night Cloud struggled to hit shots from the field in the second half. The T-Birds connected on just eight second half field goals and cooled off from deep going just 2-12 after the halftime break. Cloud stayed in the game by getting to the free throw line. For the second time this season the T-Birds shot over 90% from the free throw line. They were 19 of 21 from the charity stripe on the night.

Hutchinson was equally as bad from the field. They hit just 3 of 16 from long range and shot just 37.1% on the night. They Blue Dragons were led by St. John's University commit Bashir Ahmed with 20 points. Ahmed came into the game averaging 21.1 points per game and went for 47 points recently against Cowley County.

Aamahne Santos returned to the lineup after missing last Saturday's game at Seward County. He led Cloud with 17 points and 5 assists. Cornelious had 13 in a big second half. Cloud's leading scorer Demonte Ojinnaka continued his struggles from the field but was a perfect 7-7 from the line as a part of his 11 points. 

Things will not get easier as the T-Birds are right in the middle of the most difficult part of their schedule. Third place Barton will come to town on Wednesday. Tipoff is set for 8:00pm.