Storm Playoff Bound with Win over HPU on Senior Day

Dixie State claims share of Pac West title; defeat Sea Warriors 106-99

Coach Jon Judkins cuts down the net after win over HPU

ST. GEORGE, UTAH – Dixie State College made history on Saturday clinching a share of the Pacific West Conference Championship and securing their first Division-II postseason bid with a 106-99 win over Hawaii Pacific University in front of an electric crowd of 2,967 in the Burns Arena.

The win capped off Senior Day festivities celebrating the careers of Andy Palmer (St. George. UT/Pine View), Nick Howard (Sandy. UT/Jordan) and Adam Ross (Torrance. CA/North Torrance ). Dixie State (20-5, 14-2 PWC) finished the regular season undefeated at home while posting the highest single-game point total all season. Hawaii Pacific (19-4, 11-4) dropped their second straight game on the road. The Warriors lost 100-91 in double overtime at Gran Canyon on Thursday.

Five DSC players scored in double figures led by Tom Whitehead (St. George, UT/Dixie) with 27 points (9-14, 4-8 3PT, 5-7 FT). Donovan Plunkett (Oroville, CA/Las Plumas) iced the game late with free throws en route to 19 points. Zach Robbins (Upland, CA/Upland) posted another solid double-double of 17 points and 15 rebounds. Palmer netted 13 in his home finale before fouling out and Jeremiah Barnes (Compton, CA/Los Altos) sparked the offense with 12 off the bench.

Both team traded shots in the first half. Dixie State busted ahead 16-11 on a whitehead lay-in, but the Sea Warriors had a response. An 11-3 spurt with C.J. Jackson's dunk and two Norman Wells jumpers gave HPU their lone lead in the first half, 22-19.

Tied at 25-25, the Storm began their second major run – a 14-6 spurt – pushing the lead to 39-30 on one of Plunkett's two made triples. HPU guard Mike Helton netted the half's last four points. DSC held a 51-49 cushion to the break.

HPU seized momentum from the line and with an alley-oop dunk to Ray Murdock at 15:26.

In six minutes, Dixie State outscored the visitors 19-to-6 to post the first double-digit advantage.

Like a good heavyweight fight, HPU posted their last scoring run ending at the 6:07 mark. Helton's jump shot put Hawaii Pacific ahead 83-82.

Ray Murdock fouled out with 1:04 left and DSC established a comfortable advantage hitting eight straight free throws from Plunkett and Ross.

As the final buzzer sounded, Dixie State players were joined on the court by the students, friends and family to celebrate their clinching of the conference championship.

The Red Storm shot 32-68 from the floor (47.1%) bested slightly by HPU's 48.7% night. Dixie State bested the board battle 46-39.

Postseason play begins next Friday, March 12. Dixie State will learn the location of the West Regional on Sunday, but will not get to plan for an opponent until early Tuesday morning. The NCAA granted the Pac West's request to extend the regular season until Monday so games postponed on the islands due to tsunami warnings last weekend could be made up. HPU will face BYU-Hawaii and UH Hilo hosts Chaminade late Monday. The NCAA will then release the West Region seeding and first-round matchup upon completion of the made-up games.

The Red Storm Radio Network will have coverage of the postseason beginning Friday. Join John Potter as he brings you coverage of the first Division-II postseason game in school history.

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