ST. GEORGE – Home sweet home! The Dixie State Red Storm returned to Burns Arena to face the visiting Argonauts of Notre Dame de Namur out of Belmont, Calif., and played like they’re happy to be home, defeating NDNU 70-48.
NDNU is suffering through a tough season, being outscored by an average of 20 points per contest and having only collected one win all year.
“Coach Judkins called this game a trap game,” said Dixie guard Trevor Hill. “We prepared for them just as we would any other team. “
The Red Storm scored the first seven points of the contest. They increased the lead to double digits two minutes later on a three-point play by Dixie post Zac Hunter. The Argonauts would keep within that distance most of the first half. A power move from NDNU’s Korey Serna capped a 5-0 run to end the half and pull the Argonauts within eight, 38-30.
“We made a few adjustments on their big guy (Serna) at halftime,” said Dixie State head coach Jon Judkins. “He has about four inches and fifty pounds on Josh (Fuller). So our guards had to double down whenever the ball went to him in the post.”
Serna had eight points at halftime, but failed to even attempt a shot in the second half.
“As a team, they only scored 18 points the entire second half,” said Judkins. “I think our defensive intensity was at a high level.”
In the second half, Dixie gradually built the lead to above 20. With 8:45 remaining, Mark Ogden’s rebound and put back gave Dixie a 61-40 lead. Ogden added two more quick baskets to get the lead to 25, Dixie State’s largest of the night with just over five minutes remaining. At that point, both teams emptied their benches to finish the game.
Offensively, the Storm shot well the entire game. They hit 49 percent from the floor, including 46 percent from the 3-point arc. Dixie State outscored the Argonauts 30-16 in the paint.
Mason Sawyer and Hill each scored 18 to lead DSU in scoring. Sawyer was 7 for 8 from the floor, including 4-5 from deep. Ogden had eight points and 11 rebounds.
“Trevor (Hill) and Mason (Sawyer) were on fire tonight,” said Ogden. “They got us out early in the second half.”
The Red Storm improve to 7-6 overall, 4-3 in the PacWest. NDNU falls to 1-13, 0-7 in the PacWest. DSU will host Point Loma Nazarene on Monday afternoon. Game time is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.
Stats: DSU 70, NDNU 48
Women’s Basketball
Dixie State 69, Notre Dame de Namur 59
The Dixie State women’s basketball team earned its third victory by more than doubling up their opponent, Notre Dame de Namur, in the second and third quarters and holding on to the lead in the fourth.
The Storm were once again without post Ashlee Burge. Things began poorly when the DSU bigs Taylor Mann and Brianna Jessop were saddled with early foul trouble and had to go to the bench. Trailing 12-5 with 2:47 to play in the first, Aliya Davis and Sandria Bolden scored three points each to help DSU finish the period on a 7-2 run and pull to within 14-12.
Leslie Tademy’s steal and score sparked a 13-2 run for Dixie State in the second quarter, and the Storm took a 29-22 lead into the halftime break.
Dixie State kept its foot on the gas pedal in the third, pushing the lead to double digits at 33-22 two minutes into the period on a Bolden jump shot. Mann, who played just nine minutes in the first half due to foul trouble, scored four points and grabbed five rebounds in the third quarter, while Bolden added another six points to give the Storm a 45-30 lead after three quarters.
NDNU started the fourth quarter with a 7-0 run to cut the lead to 49-39 with 6:52 remaining, but Chermayne Moore responded with back-to-back baskets to stop the run and push DSU back to a 53-39 lead. The teams went back and forth for the final six minutes, and the Storm wrapped up their third win of the season.
“We had four players in double figures,” said Dixie State head coach Jenny Thigpin. “When we get balanced scoring, we are tough to beat.”
Dixie State shot 34 percent (25-of-73) from the field, 18 percent (3-of-16) from beyond the arc, and 72 percent (16-of-22) from the free throw line. Mann led four DSU players in double figures with 14 points and 10 rebounds for her ninth double-double of the season, while Tademy chipped in 12 points and Moore finished with 11 points.
“With Ashlee Burge out with injury Brianna Jessop and Sandria Bolden both stepped up tonight,” said Thigpin. “Jessop had eight points and eight rebounds. Bolden had a career-high 13 points and four rebounds.
The Storm host Point Loma in a PacWest grudge match on Monday at 2 p.m. Mountain Time. Fans are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item to the game to receive free admission and a free t-shirt (while supplies last) as part of a food drive to support the university’s Student Food Pantry.
Stats: DSU 69, NDNU 59
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