ST. GEORGE – Dixie State College tied a team single-game record with 17 steals Thursday and converted 32 points off said turnovers to handily defeat the visiting Penguins of Dominican University 84-40 in Pacific West Conference action.
Just fewer than 2,500 fans saw the Red Storm play one of their most stellar defensive games all season. They held Dominican (3-18, 3-8 PWC) to 30-percent shooting from the floor and to a season-low in points.
Dixie State (13-5, 6-2 PWC) took advantage of poor Penguin shooting in the first half while posting a pair of 12-0 runs, including in the final minutes, to lead 35-13 at the break.
More of the team pressure that highlighted action the first half continued in the second half. All twelve uniformed players for Dixie State would tally two points. Senior guard Jeremiah Barnes led all scorers with 16 points.
Tom Whitehead chipped in 13 points while Derek Owen came off the bench for 12 points and six rebounds.
Senior forward Brett Adams paced Dixie State with eight rebounds in 18 minutes.
Dominican center Killian Larson notched a double-double (10 points, 10 rebounds) before fouling out.
Dixie State continues Pac West play on Saturday at the Burns Arena against the Academy of Art University. Tip time is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
NOTES: The Red Storm set a new season mark allowing just 40 points. The previous low was 41 against Pacifica College on January 4… Both Barnes and Maurice Cole dished out seven assists apiece… DSC head coach Jon Judkins moves within six wins of 100 for his tenure at the college – he needs 22 wins for 400 in his career.