Dixie State women's basketball continued the 2020-21 preseason schedule and fell 80-44  to Southern Utah Monday night. 

What head coach JD Gustin said: "We took it right in the chin. Believe it or not, we're going to have to go through some of these things. Southern Utah played with a way better pace and a way better speed. They were faster to everything. They were playing at two notches higher than us. Our kids don't know that pace. It's something that is going to take time for our kids to learn."

How it happened: Dixie State had a slow start in the first quarter as Southern Utah took off on an 8-0 run early in the game. A made jumper in the paint by Emily Isaacson broke DSU's scoring drought but didn't spark much in offensive movement. The Trailblazers couldn't gain any momentum the rest of the quarter and SUU took a 27-12 lead at the end of the first. 

Southern Utah controlled most of the second quarter going on an 11-0 run and holding Dixie State to just three points for the first five minutes. The Trailblazers couldn't find a way to stop the Thunderbirds and trailed 42-24 to the Thunderbirds at the half. 

Dixie State was able to put together a 7-2 run over the Thunderbirds early in the third quarter. However, the Trailblazers still couldn't get any momentum to cut down the score differential and DSU trailed 66-33 at the end of the third quarter. 

Southern Utah maintained in the fourth quarter and pushed on to down Dixie State with a final score of  80-44. 

Leaders: Dixie State was led by Breaunna Gillen who had nine points. Hannah Robins added seven points. Robins, Maggie McCord and Annabella Muscoreil each pulled down four rebounds. London Pavlica led with three assists.  

Comparison: Dixie State shot 26 percent from the field, 19 percent from the three and 62 percent from the free throw line. DSU pulled down 32 total boards and came away with seven assists and 17 turnovers. 

Southern Utah shot 46 percent from the field, 44 percent from the three and 67 percent from the free throw line. The Thunderbirds pulled down 51 total boards and had 18 assists, 13 steals and 12 turnovers. 

Notes to know: Dixie State is now 1-2 on the season. Up next, The Trailblazers will take a break for the holidays before returning to action Jan. 4 against Simpson University.