Utah Tech University Athletics

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Women's Basketball 1/5/2013 9:38:00 PM Jeff Cluff, Coordinator of Media Relations

Behind Brown and Hayes, Storm Quiet Lancers

DSC improves to 5-0 in PacWest Play

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RIVERSIDE, Calif. -- Despite committing a season-high thirty four turnovers, the Dixie State women's basketball team remain perfect in PacWest play at 5-0 with a 63-56 win over rival California Baptist tonight at Van Dyne Gym.

"Tonight was a huge win for our program," said head coach Angie Kristensen. "We knew going into this game we have the toughest stretch of our conference schedule."

Led by Johnna Brown (Las Vegas, NV/Centennial )'s 19 points and 16 rebounds and Erica Hayes (East Palo Alto, CA/Menlo-Atherton) 16 points off the bench, the Red Storm trailed 25-16 with 4:56 left in the first half and used a 14-6 run to help them overcame a slim 31-30 halftime deficit to defeat the Lancers.

"Erica Hayes (East Palo Alto, CA/Menlo-Atherton) we a huge spark for us in the first half. She has been so focused this year and has been a huge leader," added Kristensen. "This was Johnna Browns best game of the season and she was a beast! We asked her to step up and she nailed it."

In a game that featured just five lead changes, Dixie State used a 22-14 advantage of points in the paint an astonishing plus 17 rebounding advantage. The Red Storm managed to grab 11 offensive and 33 defensive rebounds to keep the Lancers from second chance points.

Kristensen continued: "I was extremely proud of the fact that we played though our mistakes. We turned the ball over way to much but won that game because of our defense."

Shooting a solid 48.1 percent from the field and 12 of 16 from the free throw line, the Storm defense was suffocating and forced many errant shots on the night. The Lancers shot just 33.9 percent from the field.

CBU was led in scoring by Simone Holmes who finished with 20 points.

The Red Storm improve to 7-6 overall and remain at 5-0 in PacWest play. Their next challenge awaits them next week when they host Grand Canyon on Thursday night and travel back to Southern California for a battle with Azusa Pacific.

"Tonight was a complete team effort," concludes Kristensen. "We will enjoy it for now but know that Grand Canyon comes to our place next. They have dominated the PacWest so we have our hands full."

Tip-off on Thursday is scheduled for 5:00 pm in the Burns Arena.

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