FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 6. 2009

            ST.GEORGE. Utah (DSC) – Ryan Sanchez (Ogden. UT/Fremont) scored 24 points and Ben Hartman (Santa Clara. UT/Snow Canyon) added 15 to lift Dixie State to a 69-60 non-conference men's basketball win over Grand Canyon Friday night.

            Sanchez had his final seven points during a 13-2 run as the Red Storm (16-11) broke from a 56-56 tie in the final four-and-one-half minutes.

            Dixie State led 43-29 before Engen Nurumbi scored six of his 14 points during a 13-3 burst as Grand Canyon (13-14) closed within 46-42 with 11 minutes to go in the game.

            After Dixie State built a 55-46 lead with seven minutes remaining. the Antelopes used a 10-1 run to close to 56-56 on Eric Cuen's layup with 4:46 to go in the game.

            Sanchez then got a traditional three-point play and Bowie Jeffs (Castle Dale. UT/Emery) hit a 3-point basket as the Red Storm eased away.

            'When the game got tied. I said. 'O.K.. Ryan. it's coming to you." Judkins said.

            "Give that team credit. They didn't lay down and die.

            "I'm proud of these guys. We got off to a slow start on the season. losing our first five games. But the kids kept getting better and better." Judkins said.

            The win was Dixie State's fourth straight.

            The Red Storm had a 30-29 rebounding advantage. Sanchez led the way with eight. Hartman had seven.

            Dixie State opened the game with a 7-2 run and led by as many as 13 points before settling for a 33-23 halftime lead.

            The closest Grand Canyon came before the break was 12-11 on Dave Cuen's basket with 12:24 remaining. Dane Hill had a chance to give the Antelopes the lead with 12:06 left. but he missed two free throws.

            After that the Red Storm went on a 9-0 run with Howard getting a pair of layups.

            Sanchez had 10 points by intermission while Nick Howard (Sandy. UT/Jordan) and Hartman added six apiece.

            The game was the final one of the regular season for the Red Storm. The team is expecting an at-large bid to the NCAA Division II West Regional tournament on Sunday.

            "We've got a chance." Judkins said. "We feel we deserve it. If we get it. we'll do something that hasn't been done in Division II and that's go to the tournament in our first year of eligibility."