SALT LAKE CITY — In their 2009 season-opener, the Westminster Griffins did what they usually do when playing on their home floor. They won.

The Griffins improved to 42-4 all-time in the Behnken Field House with a 68-53 win over in-state rival Dixie State in the Westminster Tournament on Friday night.

"Being at home is a positive for any team," said Westminster head coach Tommy Connor. "We've created a solid student support. What a wonderful atmosphere for a first game."

That atmosphere helped the Griffins turn an evenly matched, first-half contest into a lop-sided victory during the latter 20 minutes of play.

Westminster and Dixie State traded baskets during the first half, never allowing the opposing team to gain a lead larger than five points. The Red Storm held the early advantage in 3-pointers made, with five, secured 11 more rebounds than the Griffins, and headed into their halftime chat with a surprising 33-31 lead.

It didn't take much time for the Griffins to erase the deficit, though, as Connor's crew came out strong in the second half and never let up. Red Storm forward Tom Whitehead hit a jumper to start the second half, then Westminster used a 9-0 run and a 12-0 spurt over the next 10 minutes to take a 54-42 advantage, and they never looked back.

"We didn't change a thing," Connor said about his team's change in tempo at halftime. "We missed a lot of shots (in the first half); they started falling in the second."

Senior forward Weston Anderson led the Griffins with 22 points and four rebounds, shooting 53 percent from the floor. Blair Prowse, who returned this season after being sidelined with an injury last year, made his long-awaited return a memorable one, adding 21 points and five rebounds to the Westminster effort, hitting three 3-pointers and shooting 8-for-11 from the free-throw line.

The Griffins will face Pacific Warner tonight at 8 p.m. at Behnken Field House.

Women's roundup

UTAH 81, CHADRON STATE 40: At Salt Lake City, four players scored in double figures as the Utah women's basketball team defeated Division II Chadron State, 81-40, in an exhibition game Friday night.

Kalee Whipple and Janita Badon each had 17 points to lead the Utes. Halie Sawyer had a double-double with 12 points and 19 rebounds. Freshman Taryn Wicijowski tallied 13 points with nine rebounds.

"It's great to get started on another season," Utah head coach Elaine Elliott said. "We played some new faces tonight and the more chances they have to play, the better they will be."

BYU 85, WESTMINSTER 58: At Provo, the BYU women's basketball team won its first game of the 2009-10 season, 85-58, in an exhibition game against the Westminster Griffins on Friday.

"We shot the ball well and did a good job of moving up and down the court," said head coach Jeff Judkins. "We need to do a better job of rebounding, which is something we'll continue to work on."

A 15-4 lead after the first eight minutes of play would prove to be the pace of the game for the Cougars. BYU's Haley Hall put up early points for the Cougars and continued to lead throughout the game, finishing with 14 points and six rebounds to lead all players.