ST. GEORGE, Utah –Led by a career high 23 points from Kylyn Rigsby the Mavericks improved to 12-0 in conference and 16-2 overall after defeating Dixie State 59-51 Saturday night inside Burns Arena. Dixie State fell to 7-5 in RMAC play and 12-6 overall.
The Mavericks remain as the only undefeated team in conference.
The Mavericks shot a season best 53.3 percent (8-of-15) from the three-point line and were led by Rigsby who was responsible for half of the team's made three-pointers after going 4-of-6 from beyond the arc. The junior added two assist and one steal to her career night.
Kelsey Siemons finished with a career high nine rebounds.
The Mavericks shot 37.3 percent (20-of-53) from the field and 78.6 percent (11-of-14) from the free throw line to tie a season best.
Dixie State was limited to 30.3 percent (16-of-53) from the field and just 5-of-26 from the three-point line, a category they lead the conference in. They competed their shooting with an 82.4 percent (14-of-17) effort from the free throw line.
Rigsby recorded 14 of her 23 points in the first half and knocked down six of the team's 13 field goals. The game started with a three ball from the De Beque, Colo. native that resulted in a 7-0 run. Dixie was held scoreless till the 6:28 tick and got within two points after knocked down a layup and three-pointer making it 7-5 with under six minutes to play. Rigsby scored again to strike a 11-4 run that gave the Mavericks a nine point lead with under two minutes to play in the first quarter. Dixie ended the opening quarter scoring four consecutive points to get within five, 18-13.
Dixie State outscored the Mavericks 19-15 in the second quarter and took their first lead of the game 32-30 with 1:50 remining in the half. Daniella Turner, who finished with 17 points, knocked down a three-pointer with three seconds left to give the Mavericks a lead at the break.
Rigsby drained her third trey of the game to begin the third quarter which was followed by three free-throws from the Trailblazers to get within one point, 36-35. The Mavericks outscored the Trailblazers 12- 5 to end the third quarter and hold a 48-40 advantage over DSU.
With 6:54 remaining in regulation Dixie State got within two points, but were answered by a layup from Turner and two free-throws from Sydni Brandon to give the Mavs a six point cushion. Brandon finished the game shooting 7-of-8 from the free-throw line and grabbing down nine rebounds. Dixie never got back within one possession despite fouling with under two minutes to play, as the Mavericks shot 6-of-8 from the free throw line to secure the win.
Up Next
The Mavericks will travel to Salt Lake City, Utah for a match up against one of the top teams in the RMAC. Westminster currently owns a 10-2 RMAC record and is tied with Western Colorado for second place after falling to the Mountaineers 45-44 Friday night in Gunnison.
