Southern Utah lost Thursday night to the Southern District Spartans, 106-84, in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. The Spartans raced out to a 14-1 lead before Matt Hodgson scored inside and the Thunderbirds cut the lead to 25-17. The T-Birds had trailed by as many as 16 early in the game. SUU couldn't get any closer than eight and trailing 60-42 in the 3rd quarter, saw the Spartans score 17 straight points to take total control of the game 77-42.

The Thunderbirds continued to battle with the experienced Spartans and got back to within 20 late in the games fourth quarter. The Spartans scored inside and out and played solid defense to grab control of the game in the first half. Jackson Stevenette scored 11 first half points for SUU.

Southern Utah will close out its four game Australian Tour Friday night with another game in the Brisbane area...a 7:30 start..3:30 Friday morning in Cedar City.

Koala, Cockatoo and Alma Bay

A sleepy Koala Bear on Magnetic Island on a walk we took to find a creature just like this!













Alma Bay on Magnetic Island while we were touring the island on Tuesday, May 11th. It is a gorgeous place. Some of the group even got in the water for a little dip in their "swimmers."










A Cockatoo on the beach on Magnetic Island...this was at horshoe bay I think. He was not in a hurry to get going...probably hoping for a snack!

Group photo at the Hodgson's home on Wednesday afternoon after our arrival from Townsville to Booval by air and bus. It was a great feast at the Hodgson's and you can see most of our group with them in this photo.










On the patio at Hodgson's home in Booval. Shown left to right...Terri Cook, Todd Brown and Mike Benson.













Here is our chef!! Great steaks on the barbee!! Vicki and I think he looks like George Clooney. His wife must have worked for days on the food and of course with his help!! Thanks to the Hodgson's for a great time!!

Kerry Heiur and Vicki Challis at Alma Bay near the Heuir home on Magnetic Island on Tuesday, May 11. We spotted Kerry at a coffee shop on the island and she joined our tour and took us Koala Bear hunting. We saw two Koala's in trees on our walk in the Australian "Bush" or least amongst the bushes.

In the lower photo, left to right,
Robyn Brown, Diane Reid, Karen Carling, Kerry Heuir, Pres. Michael Benson and Debi Benson. This photo looks out over Alma Bay on Magnetic Island.