After last week's triple overtime thriller the Dixie State Women's Basketball squad picked up a redeeming 72-69 win over New Mexico State Thursday night thanks to a last second three ball by Emily Isaacson.
What Emily Isaacson said: We've been in this situation before where we had to double back and lock it down. It's a game of momentum and luckily we were able to get ours back again in those final minutes. Everyone has to be ready to come in and do their part. I am super proud of our team. We've been close in a lot of games and it's good to finally get the win. We celebrate every win. We don't take it for granted.
What head coach JD Gustin said: That was a great win and one that we needed. We know who we are but we're brand new to this thing. We were up at the half and that's not a situation we've had yet this year. Learning to play with a lead is different and tonight was a really good experience for us.
How it happened: Dixie State wasted no time getting on a board thanks to a made three pointer by
Shanaijah Davison. DSU powered up for a 14-4 lead at the media time out and pushed even more for a 13 point lead at the end of the first quarter.
The Trailblazers never lost the lead in that first half and went into halftime with a 41-28 lead over the Aggies.
The third quarter's intensity picked up between both teams. Dixie State hit an 18 point lead, the largest of the game and with three minutes remaining the two teams got into a scuffle with benches clearing and coaches breaking things up. After review and three disqualifying fouls the action resumed.
The momentum had shifted at that point and New Mexico State went on run to bring the score within five as the third quarter ended.
The Aggies went on an 11-0 to take a six point lead over the Trailblazers. A pair of free throws by Breaunna Gillen broke the three minute scoring drought but DSU was still looking for a made field goal in the final quarter of play. Davison drove in for a layup at the five minute mark to get some momentum back in favor of Dixie.
With two minutes remaining, the Trailblazers were down by three with a 69-66 score. There were 45 seconds on the clock and Isaacson launched a three and drained it to tie the game up. Dixie State got a big stop with 20 seconds left and regained possession. Isaacson once again had the rock in her hands, sent the ball flying and drained another three with three seconds on the clock giving Dixie State the 72-69 redemption win.
Leaders: Isaacson led the Trailblazers with 25 points, tying her career high. She popped off going 7-10 from beyond the arc. Gillen had 20 points while Davison hit a double double with 16 points and 10 rebounds.
Comparison: Dixie State ended the game shooting 59 percent from the field, 52 percent from the three and 50 percent from the free throw line. The Trailblazers totaled 28 rebounds, 17 assists and 23 turnovers.
NM State shot 39 percent from the field, 9.5 percent from the three and 65 percent from the free throw line. The Aggies ended the game with 38 rebounds, seven assists, and 10 turnovers.
Notes to Know: DSU is now 8-16 overall on the season and sit at 4-9 in WAC play.
Up next: Dixie State will hit the road to take on in-state rival Utah Valley Saturday afternoon before hitting the road for the final road games of the year at California Baptist and Seattle U.
