Box Score
AZUSA, Calif. -- The Dixie State women's basketball battled back from a 19-point deficit to take a three point lead with under three minutes to play only to see that lead slip away by losing 66-59 to Azusa Pacific at the Felix Events Center. The Red Storm dropped their second consecutive PacWest game.
Trailing 40-27 at the half, DSC used a 32-10 run to take the three point lead, but allowed Azusa Pacific to follow with a 10-0 spree to close the game en route to its fourth straight win.
The Red Storm now sit at 7-8 overall and 5-2 in the PacWest.
Dixie State, which was coming off a heartbreaking 73-71 double overtime loss to 19th ranked Grand Canyon on Thursday night, looked lethargic for the majority of the opening frame, something the Cougars exploited early and often with their defensive pressure.
The Storm committed 26 turnovers in the game, the third straight game they have had 20 plus.
Dixie State had only one player finish in double-figures, with Kaylah Miller (San Diego, CA/La Jolla Country Day) leading the way with 12 points. The Red Storm's top scorer, Johnna Brown (Las Vegas, NV/Centennial ), was limited to nine points and eight turnovers. But, Brown did grab 13 rebounds to boost her average to 11.8 per game.
The Cougars' intensity was apparent from the opening whistle, with Azusa Pacific sprinting out to a 16-4 lead just three minutes into the game thanks to baskets from all five starters. Dixie State stormed back with seven straight points to cut the deficit from 12 to five, but the Cougars responded with a 6-0 run.
In the second half Erica Hayes (East Palo Alto, CA/Menlo-Atherton) kicked off the spree with a lay-in, followed by a Brown bucket. Brown buried a jumper and Kirsten Marie Liana (Honolulu, HI/Farrington) hit back-to-back shots to make it a 48-41 game. Rachael Sprinks hit a jumper, and Kaylah Miller (San Diego, CA/La Jolla Country Day) drained a trey to cut Azusa Pacific's lead to 48-47 at the 12:07 mark. A pair of free throws from Kenny ended the drought, and pushed the edge to three points, but Sprinks pulled Dixie State back to within a point on another jumper.
Sims' 3-pointer put Azusa Pacific up 53-49, but a 6-0 Red Storm run gave Dixie State its first lead since opening the game with a basket. The two teams traded the next three baskets, with a Sims free throw mixed in as the Red Storm held a 59-56 lead with just under three minutes to go.
On the next Cougar possession Ziegler found Hardeman for a 3-pointer, and Kenny made a great defensive play on the other end to secure a steal, giving the Azusa Pacific the ball with the game tied 59-59, and setting up Sims' game-winner. After the make Dixie State failed to score on two consecutive possessions, before Kenny sealed the victory with four straight free throws.
APU improves to 6-6 and 3-1 in the PacWest and were led by Kenny who scored 18 points and grabbed 14 rebounds.
Dixie State will have a week to prepare for the Lancers of California Baptist next Saturday at the Burns Arena. Tip off is scheduled for 5:00 pm.
