ST. GEORGE – The Dixie State University women’s basketball team had their four game winning streak snapped Saturday night in a 72-56 loss to Azusa Pacific University at the Burns Arena.
The Red Storm (6-7 overall and 4-3 in the Pac West Conference were led by Haley Holmstead and her 23 points and 10 rebounds. Taylor Mann grabbed her fourth consecutive double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Azusa Pacific (8-4 and 6-0) remained perfect in Pac West play and the Cougars were led by 27 points from Kelly Hardeman and a double-double from Sandy Valles, who scored 13 points and grabbed 15 rebounds.
Trailing 36-28 after intermission, DSU closed the gap on the Cougars and cut the lead to two points at 50-48 with 7:48 remaining in the game.
“We had moments when we came to play,” said coach Catherria Turner. “Hence, us cutting the game to two points.”
But the Cougars had different ideas for the Red Storm and outscored DSU 22-8 to end the game and remain unbeaten.
DSU out-rebounded APU 61-47, but field goal percentage plagued the squad again. DSU shot just 21 percent in the second half and finished at just under 30 percent for the game.
“Defense wins games and we had way too many defensive letdowns and allowed key players to shoot open shots,” Turner said. “We just have to have constant defensive intensity.”
The Red Storm is back home on Monday night for a rematch with Fresno Pacific at 5 p.m. in the Burns Arena.
Stats: APU 72, DSU 56
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