ST. GEORGE, UT – Making their last ever trip to Dixie State the Cougars had their work cut out for them against the league leaders.

The Trailblazers nearly lead from start to finish as they tallied an 84-73 victory against Colorado Christian.

Dixie State is playing their final season in the conference before beginning their transition to the Western Athletic Conference and NCAA Division I affiliation.

HOW IT HAPPENED:  Just before the halfway point of the first stanza the home team took a double digit lead. Leading by three points (21-18), Dixie State extended that advantage to 11 points by scoring 14 of the next 20 points. The Trailblazers kept that lead between nine and 13 points before taking a 47-37 edge into the locker room.

Solid defense aided in the Trailblazers opening half lead. Dixie State forced the Cougars into eight turnovers, which they turned into a 14-2 edge in points off turnovers.

Early in the second half Colorado Christian got within eight points (49-41) after a lay-in by Luke Martin. Dixie State stretched back their lead in the double figures and with 6:59 took a 71-52 lead; their largest of the evening.

Colorado Christian was able to trim their deficit to single digits and got as close as eight points (77-69) with just under two minutes remaining when Spencer Hoffman hit his second three-pointer of the season. Dixie State hit free throws to stretch back their lead into the double digit as they salted away the clock to secure the win.

COUGAR LEADERS: For the second straight weekend Hoffman set his personal career high with a 24-points contest. The sophomore went 9-for-14 from the floor while grabbing 12 rebounds. It was also his first double-double of the season.

Justin Engesser registered a 14-point effort, on the strength of four made shots from behind the arc, before fouling out late in the contest. Jeremiah Dickerson notched a career high 12 points while playing a personal best 31 minutes.

INSIDE THE BOXSCORE

• Colorado Christian posted a plus-four (43-39) rebounding edge
• The Trailblazer tallied a 27-14 edge for points off turnovers
• Dixie State had 14 fast break points
• Dickerson made his second straight of the season

UP NEXT: The Cougars close out their two-game road swing through Utah with a Saturday evening contest at Westminster. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.