The Cloud County Thunderbirds showed signs of improvement last Saturday night against Hutch and hoped to capitalize on it with the Barton Cougars coming to town on Wednesday. However, Barton shot 56% from the field and 58% from three routing the T-Birds 87-61.

Cloud fought to stay in it early on getting back to back threes from Deon Lyle midway through the first half to cut Barton's early lead down to five at 24-19. The Cougars made a push at the end of the half and led 41-27 at the break.

The T-Birds hung around for a while as Duby Maduegbunam drilled a three with 16:30 left to get Cloud within 13 at 47-34. Barton answered with back to back threes and the game was never in question after that. Barton went on to win 87-61. 

Barton dominated the T-Birds in the paint and shot the ball well from all over the floor making it difficult for Cloud County to get back into the game. Barton also went 20-23 (87%) from the free throw line on the night. 

Cloud was led by Freshman Deon Lyle. Lyle scored a career high 12 points in just 13 minutes. He scored all 12 points on 4 of 7 shooting from three. Devonte Dixon and Maduegbunam also had 11 each. Point Guard Aamahne Santos added 9 points and 8 assists. 

Things won't get easier for the T-Birds as they now will travel to Garden City on Saturday and then to Dodge City on Monday before returning home to host Colby next Wednesday.