By Brandon Park   
Staff Writer

After giving up a total of 89 points in their first two games, the Morgan County Bulldogs suffered a 94-71 loss to the Thomson Bulldogs Friday.

“I have never been a part of a game with that much scoring,” Head Coach Charlemagne Gibbons said. “Turnovers hurt  us bad.”

With senior point gaurd Terence Harper out of the line up as a result of a sprained ankle suffered early in the Monticello game, the Dogs turned the ball over 31 times.

“Terence is not 100 percent, but he will be in the line up for our game against Franklin.” Gibbons said. “We need that ball control. We can’t live when we turn the ball over as much as we did Friday.”

The Dogs were scheduled to face region powerhouse Franklin County Tuesday at Franklin County High School to open region play.

“I am glad we are facing them early in the season,” Gibbons said. “They are the class of the region and we will know what to expect for the remainder of the schedule.”

Morgan held close as the game opened, trading baskets and takeways, ending the first quarter down 24-20.

From the second quarter on, however, Thomson scored 74 points, with 31 of those coming in the fourth quarter. Morgan failed to keep pace, only scoring 47 points in the final three quarters of play.

Morgan attempted to mount a come back late in the third, finishing the quarter with 17 points, but turnovers once again plagued the Dogs as Thomson capitalized on several fast break opportunities late in the fourth.

The loss moves Morgan to 2-1 overall on the season.

Rashun Franklin lead the Dogs with 19 points. Dexter Cooper added another 14, while Brian Green finished with 13. Benta Young added another 11 points and Dee Elder scored eight.