Thompson career night puts Storm in PacWest title game

DSU defeats BYU-Hawaii in PWC semifinals

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AZUSA, Calif. – Sophomore guard DeQuan Thompson (Las Vegas, NV/Lake Mead Christian Academy) started for the third time this season, but looked like a seasoned veteran Friday night in the Pacific West Conference Tournament semifinals against BYU-Hawaii.

Thompson led four Dixie State University players in double figures with 18 points to earn a redemption win over the Seasiders, 71-59. The victory propels the Red Storm (21-6) into the PacWest Championship game against Chaminade.

Junior center Steven Larson (South Jordan, UT/Copper Hills) recorded his first career double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Senior guard McKay Massey (Payson, UT/Payson) went 5-of-7 from the floor for 14 points while junior point guard Kimball Payne (Alpine, UT/Lone Peak) chipped in 10 points and had six assists.

BYU-Hawaii (16-12) sprinted out of the gates behind hot shooting from behind the arc. Pablo Coro hit two early 3-pointers to give the Seasiders a 13-5 advantage. Thompson answered with a three ball at the 9:20 for a 20-18 Storm lead.

DSU took a seven-point lead with 6:11 to play on a Payne lay-in, but BYUH would not back down. They closed the half on a 15-6 run to lead at the halftime break, 37-31.

The Storm opened the second half on a 16-6 run and took back the lead with consecutive lay-ups from Larson and Zach Robbins (Upland, CA/Upland).

BYUH tied the game at 51-51 at the 10:15 mark. Dixie State responded with a definitive 10-0 run over the next six minutes. Payne sparked the rally with a driving lay-in. Robbins provided the next four points with an alley-oop layup and a two-handed slam. Two free throws each from Thompson and Dalton Groskreutz (Santa Clara, UT/Snow Canyon) finished the rally.

DSU's stifling defense held the Seasiders to 22 percent shooting in the second half, including 1-of-13 from distance.

The Storm made 50 percent of their shots, 23-of-46, on the night and won the battle of the boards 41-36.

Coro led BYUH with 15 points. Robbie Mitchell and Junior Ale each added 10 points for the Seasiders.

Saturday's tournament final is set for 7:30 p.m. Pacific (8:30 p.m. Mountain), when the top-seeded Storm face Chaminade. The Silverswords defeated Grand Canyon 58-45 in the first semifinal on Friday.

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