ST. GEORGE, Utah – The Dixie State women's basketball team dropped its season opener to Alaska Fairbanks 94-72 on Wednesday night.

Dixie State (0-1, 0-0) shot well in the first half at 54.5 percent but slowed down to 31.3 percent in the second half while the Nanooks (1-0, 0-0) stayed in control with a 47.9 clip for the entire game.

Leslie Tademy (Phoenix, AZ/South Mountain) just missed a double-double with eight points and nine assists. Kaylah Miller (San Diego, CA/La Jolla Country Day) led the Red Storm in scoring with 19 points while Taylor Maynes (Salome, AZ/Salome) added 15 and Taylor Mann (Castle Dale, UT/Emery) had 14 points and seven rebounds.

Miller hit a three and followed it up with a flashy two under the basket to start things off quick for DSU in the opening two minutes.

The Nanooks and Red Storm were tied 24-24 but Alaska Fairbanks went on a 10-0 run to lead it 34-24 at the eight minute mark.

Dixie State kept scoring but unfortunately the Nanooks were red-hot, especially players off the bench, outscoring the Red Storm 24-3. Alaska Fairbanks took a 59-45 edge into the break. Miller had 17 points in the first half.

Out of halftime, Dixie State struggled to keep pace with Alaska Fairbanks in the second half.

The Red Storm played tough but just couldn't get the offense going in the second half and were outscored 35-27 in the second frame.

Despite a late push, Dixie State eventually fell 94-72.

The Red Storm will host the Thanksgiving Classic beginning Friday, Nov. 21. Alaska Fairbanks will take on CSU San Marcos at 2:30 p.m. in the Burns Arena and at 5 p.m. Dixie State hosts Chico State.