Fantastic Four Have Career Days over AAU

88-77 win keeps Red Storm in Pac West title hunt

Palmer scored his uniform number (24) on Saturday afternoon

ST. GEORGE, UTAH – Playing without their individual scoring leader, the Dixie State College men's basketball team received career games from four players en route to an 88-77 conference win over Academy of Art University on Saturday afternoon in the Burns Arena.

Andy Palmer (St. George. UT/Pine View) hit 7-of-11 shots and added nine made free throws to tally a game-high 24 points, eclipsing his previous career best by five. Zach Robbins (Upland, CA/Upland) had 18 points (4-8 FG, 10-13 FT) and a DSC-record 17 rebounds for his third career double-double. Adam Ross (Torrance. CA/North Torrance ) notched 17 points including a flawless 8-of-8 performance from the foul line. McKay Massey (Payson, UT/Payson) played 29 points and set season bests with 14 points, seven rebounds and four assists.

Dixie State (18-5, 12-2 Pac West) won for the just the second time this season shooting under 40% for the game. Small forward Tom Whitehead (St. George, UT/Dixie) did not play but expects to suit up for next week's crucial contests.

The Storm struggled out of the gate to trail 20-13 after a Phillip Samuel three pointer with 10:06 left in the first half. Dixie State's defense picked up sparking a 17-2 run ending with three Donovan Plunkett (Oroville, CA/Las Plumas) free throws at the 5:22 mark. DSC built a 10-point cushion before heading to the locker room with a 37-29 lead at the break.

Samuel drained three triples in the first three minutes of the second half to erase the Storm's lead and jump ahead 46-44. Dixie State took back the momentum after an AAU three by Ivan Prema put the Urban Knights down by one, 60-59.

Ross's triple with 8:47 left kick started an 8-2 run. The advantage ballooned to 10 with a Massey lay-in five minutes later.

Up 77-71, Dixie State closed the door with a 9-0 spurt over 90 seconds to ensure the win.

Academy of Art was paced by Jonathan Burnett and Phillip Samuel each with 17 points.

The Red Storm return to action Thursday night at 7:30pm against the Vulcans of UH Hilo.

Listen to live radio coverage beginning upon completion of the women's game with the Vulcans tipping at 5:30pm with John Potter and “The Coach” Mike Olson.

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