Dixie St. men's basketball: MSU-Billings edges Storm

BILLINGS, Mont. — The Dixie State College Red Storm dropped a non-conference West Region decision on the road to Montana State University-Billings 63-60 on Monday night at Alterowitz Gymnasium. DSC split the season series with the Yellowjackets after a Dec. 5 win at the Burns Arena 78-75.

The loss moves Dixie State's record to 5-2 and snapped a three-game winning streak. MSUB improves to 5-2 in non-conference play.

Tom Whitehead led three Dixie State players in double figures with 13 points on 5-of-8 shooting from the field. Andy Palmer had a team-high eight rebounds and 11 points. Jeremiah Barnes had 10 points — reaching double figures off the bench for the second consecutive game.

Donovan Plunkett capped off a crucial 11-2 Red Storm run with a pair of free throws to give Dixie State a lead 48-47, its first since 2-0 in the opening seconds. Costly turnovers allowed MSUB to answer with a 7-0 run highlighted by a rainbow three from DeAndre Chambers.

Davell Jackson converted two foul shots with 37 seconds left to give MSUB a 61-55 lead, but the Red Storm surged to close the gap within one. Whitehead drained a crucial three from the wing and Plunkett nailed two free throws within a 15-second span. Down by one, Plunkett forced a steal but gave the ball right back leading to a fast-break jam by Chambers.

DSC had a final look to tie the game, but Barnes' three-pointer bounced off the back iron to seal the Jackets' win.

Dixie State takes the rest of the week off to celebrate Christmas, but returns to action on Tuesday, December 29 on the road against No. 17 Western Washington. Tip off from Bellingham is scheduled for 8 p.m.