Dixie State Men’s Basketball Earns First Western Athletic Conference Victory

ST. GEORGE, Utah – The Dixie State men’s basketball team earned its first win as a member of the Western Athletic Conference by defeating the North Dakota Fighting Hawks.

The Trailblazers hosted the Fighting Hawks on Wednesday, December 2.

After its season-opener against Weber State was canceled, Dixie State opened the 2020-21 college basketball season with a 74-73 win over North Dakota.

The victory was the Trailblazers’ first as a member of the WAC.

FINAL.#WeAreONE #DixieBlazers @DixieAthletics pic.twitter.com/PoKjdKMFqB

— Dixie State Basketball (@DIXIESTATEBBALL) December 3, 2020

Dixie State Athletics officially moved up to NCAA Division I status and joined the WAC in July.

“Our coaches, student-athletes and staff have worked tirelessly, especially in these uncertain times, to be ready for this transition,” Dr. Jason Boothe, Dixie State’s director of intercollegiate athletics, said of the move to the WAC. “It will be challenging, even more so now with the curve balls the pandemic is throwing at us, but we are ready. There is still a lot of work to do but we couldn’t be more excited for the future of Trailblazers Athletics and what this momentous next step will bring.”

On December 2, that next step took place for the Trailblazers men’s basketball team.

Congratulations to @DixieAthletics on winning their opening game as a member of @NCAA Division I! https://t.co/RQRsWXVl9T

— The Western Athletic Conference (@WACsports) December 3, 2020

Frank Staine led DSU with 19 points on 6-12 shooting.

Jacob Nicolds added 17 points and eight rebounds.

The Trailblazers shot 45.8 percent from the field, despite shooting 10.0 percent from three.

HALF: DSU trails 29-24 against ND

Still work to be done.#WeAreONE #DixieBlazers @DixieAthletics pic.twitter.com/h9RU4M0zXy

— Dixie State Basketball (@DIXIESTATEBBALL) December 3, 2020

North Dakota shot 48.1 percent overall and 36.8 percent from downtown.

With the loss, the Fighting Hawks fell to 0-2 on the season.

Dixie State’s next game is against the St. Katherine Firebirds on Saturday, December 5 at 7 p.m. (MDT). The game will broadcast on the WAC Digital Network.