FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 8. 2009





HILO. Hawaii (DSC) – Jay DeMaestri scored 26 points. including four in overtime. to lift Hawaii-Hilo to a 96-88 Pacific West Conference win over Dixie State Saturday. The game ended about 1:30 a.m. Sunday Utah time.

DeMaestri started the Vulcans (4-4. 11-8) on a 9-0 run with seven minutes to go in regulation as they took a 74-69 lead. Hawaii-Hilo led 82-76 with two minutes remaining but the Red Storm (5-3. 11-10) tied the game at 85-85 as Ryan Sanchez (Ogden. UT/Fremont) hit two 3-point baskets and Andy Palmer (St. George. UT/Pine View) added a free throw over the final 90 seconds.

Sanchez's second trey came with 15 seconds left.

The Vulcans outscored the Red Storm 11-3 in the overtime as Kimball Payne (Alpine, UT/Lone Peak) was the only Dixie State player to score in the extra session.

“We made a great comeback to get into the overtime. but then we started shooting threes.” said DSC coach Jon Judkins. “We were 0-for-5. It was the same thing we did last year over here. get into the overtime. then get outscored.

“Still. I'm so proud of how they played.” Judkins continued. “The effort was there. The guys battled and kept their heads. We had chances. but just didn't come through.”

Dalton Groskreutz (Santa Clara, UT/Snow Canyon) led the Red Storm with 17 points. Sanchez added 16 to go along with seven rebounds while Payne had 15 points and four assists. Palmer had 13 points.

“We got killed on the boards.” Judkins said. noting the Vulcans had a 45-33 advantage with 15 off the offensive glass. “That hurt.”



The Vulcans had a 35-30 lead with four minutes remaining in the first half but the Red Storm closed things out with a 14-5 run to take a 44-40 lead at intermission. Palmer had five points during that spurt while Sanchez had four.

Dixie State will be at home against Hawaii Pacific at 7:30 p.m. on Valentine's night.