Jack Pagenkopf led all scorers with a career-high 23 points to help lead No. 16/15 Dixie State past South Dakota Mines, 77-69, Friday night inside the Burns Arena. The victory extended DSU's season-opening winning streak to seven (7-0) and the Trailblazers improved to 2-0 in RMAC play.

Dixie State got off to a shaky start, misfiring on its first eight shots and on 12 of its first 17 attempts from the floor overall, as the Hardrockers (3-5/0-2 RMAC) opened up an 18-11 lead after a Wilfred Dickson lay-in midway through the first half.

The Trailblazer offense finally started to show signs of life on its next possession when Lleyton Parker got a friendly bounce on a 3-pointer, which served to spark a quick 14-3 run that erased the deficit and vaulted DSU to a 25-21 after consecutive treys from Dason Youngblood and Pagenkopf. 

DSU would close the half hitting on 11 of its 16 shots over the final nine-plus minutes, including 6-of-8 from beyond the arc, as the Blazers outscored SDM 28-13 to close the frame and take a 39-31 lead into the halftime intermission.

The Blazers led wire-to-wire in the second half, though the Hardrockers stayed within striking distance throughout the stanza. DSU managed to push its lead to double digits with under six minutes to play and owned a 72-61 advantage following a Hunter Schofield baseline jumper with 2:47 remaining.

However South Dakota Mines would answer with five-straight points on a Mitchell Sueker 3-pointer and Logan Elers bucket to trim the deficit to 72-66 with 1:03 to go. On DSU's ensuing possession, the Hardrocker defense forced the Dixie State to use all 30 seconds on the shot clock, but Pagenkopf bailed the Blazers out with a huge fall-away 3-pointer from the right wing as the clock expired to extend the DSU lead to 75-66.

SDM guard Allec Williams countered with a lay-up and free throw on the 'Rockers next trip down the court to again make a two-possession game with 25 seconds left. Pagenkopf was quickly fouled on the inbounds play and the senior hit both free throws, and after SDM missed its final shot attempt, the Blazers cleared the rebound and ran out the clock to escape with the win.

Pagenkopf scored 15 of his 23 points after halftime and hit on 7-of-13 from the floor on the night with four 3-pointers. The senior also dished out a co-game high six assists and finished with six rebounds and two steals.

Schofield poured 18 points on 9-of-13 shooting and pulled down a game-high 13 rebounds en route to his second double-double of the season, while Youngblood, Andre Wilson and Jarod Greene each tallied eight points apiece. Youngblood also collected six assists and five boards.

Despite the rough start to the night, Dixie State wound up shooting 48.3 percent (29-of-60) from the field, including an even 50.0 percent (9-of-18) from the perimeter. The Trailblazers also outrebounded SDM 40-27 and finished with 16 assists to just 10 turnovers.

Sueker led three Hardrockers in double figures with 16 points. SDM shot 46.6 percent (27-of-58), which included a 36.0 percent clip (9-of-25) from 3-point country.

Dixie State will close its RMAC homestand Saturday night vs. Black Hills State. Tip-off is slated for 7:30 p.m.