With all 13 players finding the scoring column, the Thunderbirds cruised to a 111-51 blowout over NAIA school University of the Southwest in the home opener at The Centrum.

No starter played more than 19 minutes, and junior Ryan Brimley led all scorers with 16 points in 16 minutes. Southern Utah shot 63 percent from the field and evened its record at 2-2 on the season.

The effort was a stark contrast from what Brimley endured during SUU's three games in Hawaii. He had to miss the opening game while dealing with a staph infection.

"It was quite the trip, especially being in and out of the hospital," Brimley said.

Facing the visitors from New Mexico, Brimley and the rest of the T-Birds were on fire, even before the opening tip. Davis Baker got the scoring started with a free throw as the Mustangs were whistled for a technical foul for dunking during pre-game warm-ups.

SUU then opened the game with an 11-0 tear and was never seriously headed the rest of the way.

"Every once in a while, a team needs a game like this," T-Birds head coach Roger Reid said. "We executed and stayed focused for the whole game. The guys could have been selfish in the second half, but they were making good decisions, especially on the fast break."

Brimley scored 14 of his 16 points after intermission to lead six T-Birds in double figures. SUU had a huge 54-21 margin on the boards against Southwest and held the Mustangs to 32 percent shooting.

"A game like this definitely got us going. We executed and did what we were supposed to do," Brimley said. "It's never boring to win."

Matt Massey was next in the scoring column for Southern Utah with 14 points and Jake Nielson added 13 in only 15 minutes of work. The T-Birds committed only four turnovers in the second half.

"It builds team camaraderie when a lot of guys get to play," Reid said. "They shared the ball and shot really well."