Southern Utah Men’s Basketball dominated its home opener toppling Bethesda 110-66.
The highly anticipated Thunderbirds came into America First Event Center with many fans eager to get their first look at the upcoming season and they did not disappoint. The T-Birds took command early in the game and kept it under control throughout the remainder.
SUU was led by junior Dre Marin who amassed 20 points followed by redshirt senior Dwayne Morgan who racked up 18 points. The T-Birds went into the half doubling up on Bethesda 62-31.
Throughout the game SUU also displayed its athleticism with multiple dunks from multiple T-Birds. Harrison Butler, John Knight lll, Dwayne Morgan and Damani McEntire all put on their own dunk clinics, jamming the ball with fervor. The crowd erupted in cheers every time the T-birds put the ball down.
One down side the T-birds struggled with throughout the night was turnovers on passing.
There were few moments two players weren’t on the same page and allowed turnovers by passing to the wrong spot or missing the mark entirely.
This however was not much of an issue because the Thunderbirds dominated in that aspect of the game forcing 16 steals and scoring 30 points off turnovers.
The T-birds kept control through the end of the game though the second half was closer only outscoring the Flames 48-35. All in all the Thunderbirds delivered on the hype and look poised to have a successful season.
The Thunderbirds next game is away as they face off against the University of Nebraska this Saturday, November 9. They take a few weeks off from home not having another home match until Friday, November 29 against West Coast Baptist College.
Story By Hoku Curnan
Photos courtesy of Hoku Curnan
