ST GEORGE. UT- The Dixie State College men's basketball entered tonights game against Mesa State College trying to run their streak of home win's to four in a row and run their overall record back to .500 for the first time this season. The win tonight did not come easy. having to overcome a first half deficit of 9 points. DSC held on for a 71-59 win.

Dixie State made only four its first twenty shots and until making six of it next nine shots. With the run DSC tied the score at 24 with less than a minute to play. Mesa State took a 26-24 lead with 49 seconds left on a Ryan Mathews jumper. Mathews scored 15 of MSC 26 first half points.

The second half was a different story. Adam Ross (Torrance. CA/North Torrance ) tied the score and 26 and and DSC never looked back. Dixie State built its lead to as many as 18 points and never trailed again. A 16-27 shooting in the 2nd half helped to lead Dixie State to the victory.

In the win. Ryan Sanchez (Ogden. UT/Fremont) led DSC with 13 rebounds and 17 points. Adding to the arsenal. Andy Palmer (St. George. UT/Pine View) added five rebounds and 11 points. A huge spark off the bench. helping DSC amke its 2nd half run was the play of Tom Whitehead (St. George, UT/Dixie) (9 points. 4 rebounds) and Ben Hartman (Santa Clara. UT/Snow Canyon) (8 points. 3 rebounds)

In the loss for Mesa State. Mathews scored 27 points. making 8-18 from the field including 3 three-pointers and 8-9 from the charity stripe.

Dixie State will try and make it five consecutive tomorrow night when they play host to Fort Lewis College at 7:30 PM in the Burns Arena.