ST. GEORGE – The Desert Hills Thunder (6-1,14-2) used a big third quarter run to beat the Dixie Flyers (5-2, 9-7) 53-46 on Wednesday night.
The Thunder led by two points at the half, but used a 7-0 run to open the second half. Thunder guard Brandon Simister scored all seven of the points in the run and pushed the Thunder lead to 11 after the third quarter.
The Flyers fought back, but never got close enough to have a chance to win. The Flyers outscored the Thunder 14-8 in the fourth quarter.
Simister led the Thunder in scoring and rebounding, scoring 13 points and grabbing seven rebounds. Ty Rutledge was also in double figures with 10 points. The rest of the Thunder scoring was very balanced with three players scoring eight points – Tyler Ott, Mike Needham, and Josh Anderson. Ott also brought down seven rebounds.
Flyer center Walker Swenson had a double-double, scoring 20 points and bringing down 12 rebounds. Devin Bennett was also in double figures with 15 points.
The Thunder win moves them out from tie for first place in the Region into solo first place. The Thunder meet the Cedar Redmen on Friday, Feb. 1, at 7 p.m.
The Flyers have no time to be upset with the Hurricane Tigers coming on Friday. The Flyers are now in a three-way tie with the Tigers and Redmen for second place. The Tigers will be looking to revenge an early loss to the Flyers in Hurricane a few weeks ago.
Copyright 2012 St. George News. This material may not be published or rewritten without written consent.