Box Score HONOLULU, HI – The Swords took on Dixie State in a battle of PacWest powerhouses tonight in the friendly confines of McCabe Gym. The contest had obvious conference implications as both teams were near the top of the conference standings. It is a familiar spot for both programs as both teams have won two PacWest Conference Championships in the past four years.
Chaminade and Dixie State were ready to go right from the start as the intensity of the game was obvious early on.
Bennie Murray (Fairfield, CA/Will C. Wood) connected from three with 13:18 left in the opening half to take a 10-9 lead early on. Dixie State responded and led by thirteen points before a
Dominique Cooks (Wollongong, AUS/Holy Spirit) three cut the lead to ten at the break. Murray led Chaminade with 10 points and 7 rebounds in the opening contest. Senior forward
Matt Cousins(Santa Rosa, CA/Cardinal Newman) added 7 points and 6 rebounds. The Swords trailed 39-29 at the half. Nine players played for Dixie State in the opening half. All nine Red Storm athletes scored in the first half.
The Swords shot 29% from the floor, while Dixie State shot 47% in the first half.
With 12:34 left in the contest, despite tough play back and forth, Dixie led 49-40 heading into the stretch run. The Red Storm slowly pulled away, leading by twenty points with just over two minutes to go. Dixie won the contest, 74-58.
Senior
Matt Cousins finished with 17 points and 6 rebounds while CUH junior guard
Bennie Murray, added 14 points and 8 rebounds in defeat.
The Swords won the rebounding battle 37-35. Chaminade shot 34% from the floor while Dixie State shot 50% for the contest.
The Red Storm was led by Derek Owen with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
Chaminade is back at home against California Baptist on February 4th in McCabe Gymnasium. Tip is set for 7:30 PM HT.
With the loss, the Swords move to 9-7, 7-2 in PWC while Dixie State moves to 14-4, 9-1 in the PWC.
