The Dixie State women’s basketball team couldn’t overcome a cold shooting night and dropped a 66-56 decision to Biola on Wednesday inside the Burns Arena.
The Trailblazers (6-7, 2-4 PacWest) saw a bevy of open looks throughout the contest but connected on just 27 percent (19-of-68) of shots from the field and 18 percent (6-of-33) from 3-point range (both season-low marks). Matti Ventling finished with a team-high 13 points and six rebounds, while Mariah Martin added 10 points, eight rebounds and four assists. Ashlee Burge chipped in six points and seven rebounds to go with two assists.
Dixie State opened a 6-2 lead early in the first quarter after Ventling buried back-to-back triples. Biola responded with an 8-4 run to tie the game at 10-10 at the 3:35 mark. The Trailblazers then closed the quarter on a 6-0 run when Martin and Keslee Stevenson each hit a 3-pointer to stake DSU to a 16-10 lead.
Biola countered with a 14-3 run to open the second quarter and built a 24-19 lead midway through the frame. Unfazed, the Trailblazers bounced back with an 8-0 run to retake the lead at 27-24. But the lead didn’t last long. The Eagles closed the second quarter on an 11-0 run to take a 35-27 lead into the halftime break.
The Trailblazers methodically chipped away at the Biola lead in the third quarter, hitting four free throws in a four-and-a-half-minute span before Martin recorded a steal and a layup to cut the lead to 38-33 at the 5:06 mark. The Eagles answered with consecutive 3-pointers to push the lead back to 44-35 before DSU closed the quarter on an 8-1 run to pull within 45-43.
Dixie State continued the run into the fourth quarter, taking a 50-45 lead to cap the 15-1 stretch when Tramina Jordan converted a layup and a 3-pointer early in the frame. But like the second quarter, the lead didn't last long. The Trailblazers went cold, while the Eagles closed the game on a 21-6 run to clinch the victory.
The Trailblazers continue their four-game homestand vs. Dominican on Friday. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m.
Keric Seegmiller is Assistant Coordinator of Media Relations at Dixie State University and the Voice of Trailblazer Athletics. Contact him at keric.seegmiller@dixie.edu.