Dixie State Doomed By Poor Shooting In WAC-Opening Loss To UT Rio Grande Valley

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Dixie State men’s basketball team struggled to score and suffered a blowout loss in their Western Athletic Conference opener to the UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros.

UT Rio Grande Valley hosted Dixie State at UTRGV Fieldhouse on Friday, January 15.

The Trailblazers were blasted by the Vaqueros, 82-47.

pic.twitter.com/5Og3nx5B1N

— Dixie State Basketball (@DIXIESTATEBBALL) January 16, 2021

DSU failed to keep pace with UTRGV all game long.

At halftime, the Vaqueros held a 41-24 advantage.

A similar performance occurred in the second 20 minutes of action as UT Rio Grande Valley outscored Dixie State, 41-23.

Half time from Texas. pic.twitter.com/JeMJcls8Fu

— Dixie State Basketball (@DIXIESTATEBBALL) January 16, 2021

Dixie State shot 34.6 percent overall and only 7.1 percent from three-point land in the loss.

Cameron Gooden was the only DSU player to score in double figures and led the Trailblazers with 13 points on 3-6 shooting.

UTRGV had four players score in double digits.

The Vaqueros were led by Sean Rhea’s 16 points.

2nd Half: Rhea with the dunk! We lead @DIXIESTATEBBALL 47-24.
💻 https://t.co/S8jh0JYbhd
📊 https://t.co/pIDGJ0kXXw#RallyTheValley #UTRGV #WAChoops pic.twitter.com/SsMHcvvDXS

— UTRGV Men’s Basketball (@UTRGVmbb) January 16, 2021

For the game, UT Rio Grande Valley shot 45.1 percent from the field, including 26.7 percent from beyond the arc.

With the loss, the Trailblazers fell to 4-4 on the season and 0-1 in WAC play.

Dixie State’s next game is the second game of a back-to-back with UT Rio Grande Valley. The Trailblazers and Vaqueros are scheduled to tip-off on Saturday, January 16 at 5 p.m. (MDT).