ST. GEORGE. Utah (DSC) – Ryan Sanchez (Ogden. UT/Fremont) scored 11 of his 19 points in the second half to pace Dixie State to a 59-51 men's basketball win over Notre Dame de Namur in Pacific West Conference play Monday.
Sanchez had a pair of 3-point baskets as Dixie State (4-0. 9-7) used a 21-4 run to take control in the second half. He lso had a key rebound and hit four straight free throws in the final minute of play.
Dan Bergeron scored 11 of his 20 points as Notre Dame (0-8. 4-14) trimmed Dixie State's lead to 55-49 with 1:58 remaining in the game. Bergeron scored all 11 of the Argonauts' points during one stretch.
The game was the first in which Dixie State played as the Red Storm. The team had previously been known as Rebels. but school officials retired that mascot a year ago. Students and community members selected the new name in a several months-long process.
Notre Dame played patient basketball and took advantage of Dixie State's inability to shoot to lead by as many as six points before taking a 27-25 lead into the locker room at intermission.
Dixie State won despite shooting 37 percent from the field to Notre Dame's 41 percent. The Red Storm had a 43-26 rebounding advantage with Kevin Lindquist (Gilbert. AZ/Lone Peak) leading the way with seven rebounds.
Sanchez was the only Dixie State player in double figures. Dalton Groskreutz (Santa Clara, UT/Snow Canyon) had nine. Joining Bergeron in double figures for Notre Dame were Jeff Berridge with 11 and Andre Hayes with 10.
"This was a great win." said DSC coach Jon Judkins. "We're 4-0 and that's where we want to be. But we've got to win our home games.
"One key was we held them to 24 points in the second half." Judkins said. The Argonauts hit just 9-of-23 shots in that half.
Judkins praised the play of Lindquist inside and of Johnny Little (Murray. UT/Murray HS). who spelled Sanchez. Little has been battling back from an injury since last season.
The two teams will play again on Tuesday. Tipoff time is 7:30 p.m.
