Dixie State University men’s basketball team opened up Pacific West Conference play with a win then came up short to a second consecutive ranked opponent.
Junior guard Mason Sawyer posted a career-high 23 points in DSU’s loss to No. 17 California Baptist University Saturday night. DSU rallied late but ran out of time losing 88-81.
“I felt like we were prepared well and played hard in both games,” said senior guard DeQuan Thompson, a communication major from Las Vegas. “Point Loma and Cal Baptist are two great teams that play hard and are coached very well.”
The first half of the game was highly contested as DSU and CBU traded the lead multiple times ending with 38-37 Lancer lead.
The game stayed close until the Lancers went on a 17-6 run with 13 minutes left in the game. DSU would get to within six points but could not keep a hot-shooting Lancer team from the win.
Thompson and senior forward Zach Robbins added 19 points and junior forward Mark Ogden Jr. led the team with 13 rebounds.
The Storm now have a 3-3 overall record and are 1-1 in Pacific West Conference play.
DSU beat No. 22 ranked Point Loma University Thursday night, 54-49, with the help of its all-time leading scorer, Zach Robbins, who led the way with 18 points and 10 rebounds.
Robbins had an all-around effort with five blocked shots and scored half his points from the free-throw line.
The Storm had many players contributing to the victory. Thompson and Sawyer each scored in double figures with 15 and 11. Sawyer also added five rebounds and five assists.
“We were definitely stoked about the win,” said junior guard Robbie Nielson, a business major from Portland, Oregon. “It was especially nice starting conference off beating a ranked team. It was also nice to show people our potential and capabilities.”
The game started out close with DSU leading the way almost the entire time. A 16-3 DSU run would produce a 30-14 lead, but the Sea Lions fought back and cut the lead down to 30-24 at the break.
PLNU continued its momentum shift into the second half, gaining the lead back 38-37. The game went back and forth as both teams battled physically for the lead.
The Storm next play Dec. 13 against Fresno Pacific University at home at 7:30.
