College hoops preview: Dixie State (19-4, 13-4) vs. Dominican (18-7, 12-5), at the Conlan Center in San Rafael, Calif.
Game time: 8:30 p.m. MDT
Broadcast: ESPN Radio 106.1 FM
Previous meeting: Dominican 97, Dixie State 88 at Burns Arena on Feb. 1. Devin Golston led five players in double-figures with 25 points. The Penguins shot 56 percent from the floor, including 55 percent from the arc.
PENGUINS
Coach: Booker Harris
Record: 18-7, 12-5 Pac West Conference
Streak: 7 wins
PPG: 79.7
PAPG: 75.1
Probable starters: Connor Haysbert (C, 6’8″, 14.0 ppg), Matt Hayes (G, 6’2″, 12.1 ppg), Myles Carrillo (G, 6’0″, 12.0 ppg), Dominique Taplin (G, 6’0″, 13.4 ppg), Jonny Bates (F, 6’3″, 3.5 ppg)
Other key contributors: Christopher Schwartz-Edmisten (G, 6’3″, 8.1 ppg), Karl Ohrner (F, 6’8”, 2.9 ppg), Josh Armstrong (G, 6’3”, 2.4 ppg)
RED STORM
Coach: Jon Judkins
Record: 19-4 overall, 13-4 in Pac West Conference
Streak: 4 wins
PPG: 85.6
PAPG: 76.8
Probable starters: Kimball Payne (G, 6’0″, 9.4 ppg), DeQuan Thompson (G, 6’3″, 14.3 ppg), Jordan Rex (C, 6’9″, 5.5 ppg), Zach Robbins (F, 6’10″, 16.1 ppg), Dalton Groskreutz (F, 6’6″, 12.9 ppg)
Other key contributors: Mason Sawyer (G, 5’10″, 7.3 ppg), Louis Garrett (F, 6’6″, 10.0 ppg), Curtis Papenfuss (F, 6’8″, 4.6 ppg), Landon Clegg (G, 6’4″, 2.1 ppg), Robbie Nielson (G, 6’4″, 6.3 ppg)
Game outlook: Tonight’s match-up will determine the likely No. 2- seed with accompanying bye in the PacWest Tournament. Though Dominican beat Dixie State in St. George and now hosts the Red Storm at the Conlan Center (where they have one loss all season, a 69-67 squeaker to Hawaii Pacific), the Penguins have been hit with injuries. Leading scorer Devin Golston was injured Feb. 5 and is still not expected to play. Bates, who took over Golston’s starting role, and key reserve Schwartz-Edmisten both missed the Penguins’ last game, but are expected to play tonight. Dominican has continued to win without Golston, but against lower-echelon conference teams. DSU has been at full strength the last few games and is playing like it did earlier in the season. Robbins, who played through an illness in the last match-up, has been dominant since the game against Dominican. Regardless of the outcome of this contest, this is a likely preview for the probable No. 2 and No. 3-seeds in the PacWest Tourney semifinals, barring any upsets.
Women’s Basketball
Dixie State’s women’s basketball team also plays Dominican University this evening. The Lady Storm are 12-11 and 10-7 in conference and the Lady Penguins are 8-15 and 8-9. The Lady Penguins are on a four-game winning streak beginning with their dominant victory over the Lady Storm Feb. 1. The Lady Storm are on a four-game winning streak of their own and will look to avenge the earlier loss. DSU is currently seeded third in the PacWest and still have a shot at the No. 2 seed. The Lady Penguins are currently seeded fifth. Tipoff is at 6:30 p.m MDT at Conlan Center in San Rafael, Calif., and is broadcast on 91.3 FM.
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