Dixie State Ends First Division I Season With Loss To New Mexico State
Mar 6, 2021, 9:05 PM | Updated: Apr 26, 2021, 2:04 pm
(Photo courtesy of Dixie State Athletics)
(Photo courtesy of Dixie State Athletics)
ST. GEORGE, Utah – The Dixie State men’s basketball team ended its first Division I season with a home loss to the New Mexico State Aggies.
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The Trailblazers hosted the Aggies on Saturday, March 6.
After a rough first half, the Blazers fought back but were unable to beat the Aggies in a 68-56 result.
It was not the best start for Dixie State as they trailed 12-2 four minutes into the game. DSU made just two of their first seven shots. Over the next nine minutes of the first half, the Trailblazers were only able to pull within eight points of the Aggies.
First half ✅#WeAreONE #DixieBlazers #WACMBB pic.twitter.com/thuuLyLq6P
— Dixie State Basketball (@DIXIESTATEBBALL) March 7, 2021
Dixie State didn’t give up and kept chipping away at the lead as they pulled to within four points with just over one minute remaining until halftime. When the first half horn sounded, New Mexico State held a 40-34 lead. Cameron Gooden and Hunter Schofield led the Trailblazers with 8 points apiece. Former Ute Donnie Tillman had 17 points in the opening half for the Aggies.
Dixie State didn’t shoot the ball particularly well, making 38 percent of their field goals but made all 11 of their free throw attempts.
All of that work to get to within four points late in the first half went for naught as New Mexico State started the second half on a 12-7 run and held a double digit lead with under 13 to play.
Forever a part of our Trailblazer family pic.twitter.com/YWnj2LcY6q
— Dixie State Basketball (@DIXIESTATEBBALL) March 7, 2021
The Aggies would hold on for a 12-point victory.
Dixie State ended the game shooting 34.6 percent from the field and 35.3 percent on three-pointers.
The Blazers were led by Cameron Gooden’s 14 points.
Can Gooden for the Mountain America #MACU3 🔥#WeAreONE #DixieBlazers #WACMBB pic.twitter.com/1LA1PXq2Nn
— Dixie State Basketball (@DIXIESTATEBBALL) March 7, 2021
NMSU shot 44.4 percent overall and 29.2 percent on triples.
Donnie Tillman led the Aggies with 22 points.
Dixie State finished the regular season with an 8-13 overall record and 4-10 in Western Athletic Conference play.
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They are not eligible for the WAC tournament in Las Vegas due to their transition from Division II to Division I. The season is over for the Trailblazers.
