Despite four players scoring in double figures, Dixie State could not overcome a pair of big California Baptist runs as the No. 10-ranked Lancers claimed an 88-77 victory in the Pacific West Conference opening game for both teams Thursday night in Riverside.
Dixie State (3-4/0-1 PacWest) was in control early as the Storm raced out to a 15-5 lead five minutes in thanks to eight quick points from senior Mark Ogden Jr. CBU (9-1/1-0 PacWest) countered with a five-minute run of its own, outscoring the Storm 19-7 to erase the deficit and take a 24-22 lead with nine minutes remaining in the first half.
The Storm got to within a point at 29-28 on a Trevor Hill lay-up at the 7:15 mark, but the Lancers would go on a 10-1 run to extend their lead to 40-30 en route to a 46-39 edge at the intermission.
California Baptist kept the momentum going in the second half and enjoyed a double-digit lead for most of the frame, pushing it to as many as 20 points on several occasions before settling for the 11-point win.
“[Cal Baptist] a good team and we understand that,” DSU Head Coach Jon Judkins said. “We learned some things tonight and we’ve got some things we need to work on. I’m happy with our effort and how hard we played. If we do that again on Saturday [at Point Loma] we’ll be OK.”
Ogden Jr. posted his second double-double in three games with season-highs of 18 points and 11 rebounds. The senior hit nine of his 13 shots and had two assists and a block in 35 minutes. Hill finished with 19 points, including 9-of-12 from the line, while junior Josh Fuller had 11 points and seven boards, and senior Mason Sawyer chipped in 10 points.
Dixie State enjoyed one of its better shooting nights of the season as the Storm hit on 49.1 percent (27-of-55) of its shots. However DSU attempted just six 3-point shots (3-of-6), while the Lancers hit 10-of-27 from beyond the arc.
PacWest Preseason Player of the Year Gelaun Wheelwright led three Lancers in double figures with 21 points, while Jordan Heading poured in 20 points and Jordan Heading added 14 points as the Lancer bench outscored DSU’s reserves by a 43-11 count. CBU shot 51.7 percent from the floor (31-of-60).
Dixie State concludes its six-game road swing this Saturday as the Storm travels to San Diego face PacWest foe Point Loma.
Women’s Basketball
CBU 95, DSU 73
The Dixie State women’s basketball team dropped its Pacific West Conference opener Thursday, 95-73, on the road at No. 2 California Baptist University.
The Storm (0-6, 0-1) started fast, jumping out to an 18-12 lead in the first quarter behind eight points from senior center Taylor Mann and another four points by sophomore center Ashlee Burge.
The Lancers seized control in the second quarter, using a 15-0 run to take a 27-18 lead halfway through the second stanza. DSU cut the deficit back to seven points moments later, but would get no closer. CBU used another 8-0 run to push the lead to 35-20 with 5:29 to play in the first half and outscored the Storm 29-8 in the quarter.
DSU outscored the Lancers 29-22 in the fourth quarter, as Mann scored another 12 points in the period and senior guard Chermayne Moore connected on three 3-pointers.
Dixie State shot 38 percent (27-of-70) from the field, 46 percent (7-of-15) from beyond the arc, and 63 percent (12-of-19) from the free throw line. Mann finished with a season-high 29 points and 13 rebounds for her third double-double of the season and Moore added 12 points on 3-of-6 shooting from behind the 3-point line.
The Storm return to action at Point Loma in a Saturday afternoon matchup at 2 p.m. Pacific Time (3 p.m. MT).
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