PHOENIX. Ariz. (DSC) – Ryan Sanchez (Ogden. UT/Fremont) scored nine of his 12 points in the second half as Dixie State defeated Grand Canyon 68-59 in Pacific West Conference play Thursday night.

            Dixie State (3-0. 8-6) connected on 27-of-33 free throws in the game. scoring its last 10 points from the line. Kevin Lindquist (Gilbert. AZ/Lone Peak) scored the team's final basket with 4:20 left in the game.

            Grand Canyon (2-2. 7-8) trailed 35-31 at halftime. but opened the second half with a 9-0 run to lead 40-35 on Eric Cuen's rebound basket with 16:24 remaining in the game.

            But Palmer. who scored 15 of his 19 points in the first half. started Dixie State on a 12-0 run and a 47-40 lead. Grand Canyon closed within 63-59 on David Cuen's free throw with 1:31 left. but then Dixie State pulled away.

            Speaking of Grand Canyon's opening run in the second half. Dixie State coach Jon Judkins said. "we made some subs and those subs were aggressive." He said that Ben Hartman (Santa Clara. UT/Snow Canyon) and Tom Whitehead (St. George, UT/Dixie) deserved credit for stopping Grand Canyon defensively.

            "Defensively I was very happy." Judkins said. adding that Lindquist and Palmer did a good job against Grand Canyon's Engen Narumbi. who was averaging 15 points a game but ended with just six.

            Joining Palmer and Sanchez in double figures for Dixie State was Whitehead with 10. Lindquist. Adam Ross (Torrance. CA/North Torrance ) and Hartman scored six points each. Johnny Little (Murray. UT/Murray HS) had five and Dalton Groskreutz (Santa Clara, UT/Snow Canyon) added four. David Cuen led Grand Canyon with 13 points while Eric Cuen had nine.

            "This was our first real good win on the road." Judkins noted.

            The two teams will play again Friday but it will not be a conference game. tip off is slated for 7:30 PM.

Bob Hudson-Dixie State Sports Information