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Show Tips offseason SU wins first two games some big free throws and took some good shots," McCracken said. As the clock wore down the score went up and the T-birds pushed their lead to as many as eight points at one time. But the Mustangs bore on as they always do whenever the two schools meet. "Anytime you play this far away from home and down here it's always tough," McCracken said. The Mustangs fought back and the barn was beginning to burn. With less than two minutes remaining in the game the Mustangs, with a little help from the officials, were back to within two points at 56-54. After being fnnlpH Willie Hicks went to the free throw line to shoot a pair of very critical shots. "Willie hit two big, big free throws," McCracken said. "That put them back four and that was big " he added. With the four point lead the victory was sealed with less than three seconds on the clock. The Mustangs did toss in a last second shot, but the T-birds still led by a two points as time ran out. Brown led the T-birds with 16 points, followed by Hicks with 12. Albert Terry added 10 points; Anderson and Rohnkhol scored 8 each. Craig Randle scored 6; and Christiansen, 4 points. The T-birds travel to Weber State Dec. 3 as they begin another tough roadtrip. By STEWART SMITH Record Reporter CEDAR CITY The Southern Utah State College Thunderbirds tipped off their season in style last weekend, winning two big games. In the first of two road games that opened Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play the Thunderbirds faced New Mexico Highlands. They nabbed an 81-69 victory over the Cowboys after commanding the court the entire game. Senior forward Karl Anderson pumped in 24 points to lead the T-birds in the opening win. "Karl had as good a game as anyone has ever had at SUSC," coach Tom McCracken said. Anderson's rebounding and assists were also very commendable. The win over the Cowboys gave a big boost to the Thunderbirds while upping their winning record over the team. New Mexico Highlands has not defeated an SUSC team since the 1974-75 1974-75 season. Using a quick run-and-gun offense the Cowboys attempted to run the T-birds, but their game back-fired on them. SUSC took a big 16-point lead into the lockerroom a at halftime in spite of the Cowboys' fast pace. The Thunderbirds were also paced by junior guard Craig Randle who scored 17 points and Willie Hicks who scored 15. The two big men for the T-birds, Scott Brown and Todd Christiansen, each tossed in 7 points. Coming off the bench Albert Terry scored 6, Joe Riley 3 and Gary Glover 2. "It was a good way to open up the season," McCracken commented. Two in a row Monday night the Thunderbirds were up against a tough Western New Mexico team but once again came up the winner squeaking by them 60-58. "It feels pretty good to win it," McCracken said after the game. The win is the first victory over Western New Mexico since McCracken took over the realms as basketball coach at SUSC. The Mustangs did give McCracken Mc-Cracken and his team a good contest. Sophomore Bill Rohnkhol came off the bench in the first period to give the T-birds a big lift. Ronkhol who didn't see much playing time last year dropped two jump shots in to give the Thunderbirds a five point lead with 5 : 28 left in the period. The Mustangs battled back however and took a one point lead with only seconds remaining in the half. Willie Hicks then stole the ball and quickly passed to Anderson who hit at the buzzer to give the T-birds a one point lead going into the lockerroom. The big player for the Thunderbirds in this game was Scott Brown. Brown canned 16 points to lead the team and is starting to prove himself. "Scott hit |