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Utah Tech University Athletics

WBB - A Franks vs. BYUH
Stan Plewe/Utah Tech Athletics
81
Winner Dixie State DX-WBB 1-1
74
Saint Martin's SMU 0-2
Winner
Dixie State DX-WBB
1-1
81
Final
74
Saint Martin's SMU
0-2
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Dixie State DX-WBB 19 25 16 21 81
Saint Martin's SMU 12 16 24 22 74

Game Recap: Women's Basketball | | By DSU Athletics Media Relations

Women’s Basketball holds off Saint Martin’s Sunday, 81-74

Four players finish in double figures as Trailblazers earn first non-conference win since 2014

The Dixie State women's basketball team earned -its first victory of the season on Sunday, holding off Saint Martin's for an 81-74 win inside the New P.E. Building in Monmouth, Oregon.

Dixie State used a big first half to set the tone for the victory, shooting 48 percent (15-of-31) from the field and 44 percent (7-of-16) from 3-point range through the first two quarters. Additionally, the win marked DSU's first non-conference win since Nov. 22, 2014, in a 67-62 triumph over Cal State San Marcos inside the Burns Arena.

The Trailblazers (1-1) used a 10-0 run early in the first quarter to turn a 4-2 deficit into a 12-4 advantage, a lead they would not relinquish for the remainder of the game. Ali Franks (Redding, Calif./Enterprise HS) chipped in five points during the run, including her first of four 3-pointers. Saint Martin's trimmed the lead to 12-8 a few minutes later, but Franks added five more points and another trey, to help push the lead back to 19-12 at the end of the first quarter.

The game went back and forth in the second period until SMU pulled to within three points at 22-19 at the 6:53 mark. Dixie State countered with a 22-5 run over the next four minutes to build its largest lead of the game at 44-24. Morgan Myers (St. George, Utah/Desert Hills HS) sparked the run with a triple after Ashlee Burge (Riverton, Utah/Herriman HS) snagged two offensive rebounds on the same DSU possession. Myers added a pair free throws later in the run and DSU canned three more 3-pointers, including two by Keslee Stevenson (Willard, Utah/Box Elder HS), to build the 20-point advantage. The Saints scored the final two baskets of the half to trim the lead to 44-28 at the break.

Saint Martin's picked up where it left off in the third quarter and cut the lead to 44-38 with 7:51 remaining. In all, SMU used a 14-0 run spanning a three-minute stretch to claw its way back into the game early in the third frame. DSU pushed the lead back to double digits at 48-38 with a Kristin Baldwin (Thatcher, Ariz./Thatcher HS) free throw, followed by a Taylor Moeaki (American Fork, Utah/American Fork HS) 3-pointer. The teams traded baskets over the remainder of the frame, and the Trailblazers took a 60-52 lead into the final quarter.

The game continued to seesaw in the fourth quarter as the Saints pulled to within 60-57 less than two minutes into the period. Dixie State quickly responded and pushed the lead back to 65-57 when Mariah Martin (Sandy, Utah/Alta HS) ripped the net with a 3-pointer and Moeaki knocked down a jumper. This time, the eight-point margin proved insurmountable, as SMU could not close to gap to less than six points through the seven minutes, and DSU clinched the 81-74 victory.

"The tempo of the game was key for us today," head coach JD Gustin said. "We played at the pace we wanted to play at, and built a 20-point lead at halftime. Saint Martin's was ready to go in the second half, but I was proud of how we responded. We made plays down the stretch, and it was a fun game to be a part of. This was a great way to start the season."

Dixie State shot 43 percent (27-of-62) from the field, 41 percent (12-of-29) from 3-point range, and 53 percent (15-of-28) from the free throw line. Franks led four DSU players in double figures, and finished with 17 points on 4-of-6 shooting from outside. Moeaki recorded 12 points to go with six assists, while Martin chipped in 11 points, and Tramina Jordan (Las Vegas, Nev./Centennial HS) added 10 points.

The Trailblazers now head to Logan, Utah, for an exhibition matchup with Utah State on Tuesday at Noon.    
 
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