FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 5. 2009



HONOLULU. Hawaii (DSC) – Darrell Birton scored 10 of his 18 points during an 18-4 run to open the second half as Chaminade defeated Dixie State 75-65 in men's basketball late Wednesday night.

Chaminade (6-3 in the Pacific West Conference. 10-8) led just 43-40 at intermission but that run gave the Silverswords a 61-44 lead with 12 minutes remaining in the game.

Dixie State (5-2. 11-9) closed within 66-59 behind a 10-0 run of its own but turned the ball over three straight times thereafter to kill its comeback effort.

The Silverswords had a 42-24 rebounding advantage with 16 off the offensive glass.

Joel Smith added 15 points for Chaminade while Mohamed Tangara added 12.

Bowie Jeffs (Castle Dale. UT/Emery) led Dixie State with 16 points while Ben Hartman (Santa Clara. UT/Snow Canyon) added 13.

Chaminade opened the game on a 14-2 run with Tangara. Noah Gottlieb and Jamar Berry each scoring four points.

But Hartman got the Red Storm going as he hit three 3-point baskets to close the deficit to 43-40 at halftime. Dixie State was within two points twice. but the Silverswords pulled away each time.

Chaminade didn't have a basket over the final five-and-one-half minutes of the first half but connected on 11-of-14 free throws to keep Dixie State at bay.

Saturday Dixie State will wrap up its four-game road trip when it visits Hawaii-Hilo. Game time is approximately 10:30 p.m. Utah time. The contest will be broadcast live on KDXU. 890 AM. and on the Internet at www.dixieathletics.com.