Larson sets single-game scoring mark in road win

Storm end SF trip winning third in last four games

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BELMONT, Calif. – It may be time for Dixie State forward Steven Larson (South Jordan, UT/Copper Hills) to look for a new Twitter handle. The junior known by those in the online world as @KidLarson has stepped up his game and played like a man over the last two ballgames.

Saturday afternoon at Notre Dame de Namur, Larson broke the DSU single-game scoring record with 33 points and added a career-high tying nine rebounds in the Red Storm's 66-61 road win over the Argonauts in Pacific West Conference action.

Larson made 12-of-15 attempts from the floor and knocked home each of his nine free throws attempts to best the previous single-game record of 32 points set by current DSU assistant coach Ryan Sanchez (Ogden. UT/Fremont) twice – including five years ago in Gleason Gym against NDNU (5-17, 4-10).

Dixie State completed its four-game, eight-day trip to the Bay Area with a 3-1 mark – bolstering its overall record to 18-5 and 13-2 in the PacWest.

The outcome hung in the balance as the Argos played physical and pressure-filled defense against the Storm for most of the game. NDNU flourished after a 35-35 halftime stalemate using a 17-8 run to take their biggest lead, 52-43, at the 12:45 mark.

Dixie State answered the challenge responding with an 8-0 run over the next three minutes. Larson began the charge with a key bucket plus a foul. Dalton Groskreutz (Santa Clara, UT/Snow Canyon) hit DSU's lone 3-pointer of the game on the next possession en route to 12 points. DeQuan Thompson (Las Vegas, NV/Lake Mead Christian Academy) drew a foul and nailed both free throws to pull within a point, 52-51.

NDNU built its last advantage with their ninth 3-pointer of the game at the 8:44 mark, 59-54. From the point on, the Argos missed their final nine shots while the Red Storm responded with a closing run.

A trio of free throws from Groskreutz and Larson cut the lead to one. With 5:48 left on the clock, Zach Robbins (Upland, CA/Upland) flipped in a right-handed hook shot to give DSU a lead the would not relinquish. The bucket gave Robbins his ninth consecutive game in double figures (10 pts.).

Larson notched the final six points of the game on a pair of jumpers and two free throws to give him the record.

The Storm was held below their nation-leading field goal percentage, making 24-of-49 shot for 49 percent. They missed just two free throws accounting for 17 points from the stripe.

Freshman guard James Northup with 15 points led NDNU.

Dixie State returns home next Saturday for a classic PacWest rivalry game with the Seasiders of BYU-Hawaii. Tip time from the Burns is set for 7:30 p.m.

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