Strong defense helped the Dixie State University Red Storm to a 69-59 victory over Notre Dame de Namur University Thursday.
After dropping its last two games on the road, DSU returned home to host NDNU with hopes of turning its season around. The Argonauts started out fast and took an early lead. The Red Storm trailed for most of the first half but took a 22-20 lead with under two minutes to play in the half.
DSU would eventually extend its lead to 29-22 at halftime. It only shot 29 percent from the field but managed to connect on 33 percent of its 3-point shots.
The Red Storm’s defense had perhaps the biggest influence on the game as it forced 23 turnovers and scored 25 points off those turnovers throughout the game. DSU used that defense to take a 17-point lead late in the second half. The Argonauts made one last push, but it wasn’t enough as the Red Storm held on to victory by a score of 69-59.
“We believe that our defense starts our offense,” said head coach Jenny Thigpin. “This is the type of system that we want to run and we are starting to see some product out of it by getting those turnovers and steals.”
DSU is now 3-4 in the Pacific West Conference and will look to secure another conference win when it hosts the Point Loma University Sea Lions, a team it beat earlier in the season, Monday.
