Mesa Legend - ARCHIVES - Vol. 39, Issue 7


Volume 39, Issue 7. Today is .

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Volume 39, Issue 7
December 4, 2001

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T-Birds on a roll
Men’s team hits stride after two early losses

BY Erik Larson
Mesa Legend

After a slow start, the men’s basketball team is off and rolling. The Thunderbirds suffered an early season conference loss at the hands of Arizona Western, a team picked to win the conference, and bounced back with victories over Eastern Arizona, Glendale and Northland Community College. The T-birds are 3-1 in the conference and 5-2 overall.

"I always have high expectations for myself and my team," said Coach Alton Lister. "We have several players that could go forward to the next level. All we need to do is play our style of basketball and we will do well."

In the loss to Arizona Western, Mesa had two starters playing in their first game of the season and still had the lead going into halftime. Although the T-Birds lost by 14, the game was a lot closer than the score indicated.

The T-Birds came back home on Nov. 20 to defeat Eastern Arizona 74-50 and beat Glendale 75-70 in a tough road game. On Nov. 28, the T-Birds played Northland Pioneer Community College team. Despite a first half injury to point guard No. 50 Sedale Threatt, the T-Birds took a 51-39 lead into halftime.

Through the second half, Mesa kept their lead to pull away for a 90-69 victory, improving their conference record to 3-1.

"We have an exciting team here. I think people will really enjoy watching this team play," Lister said.