CEDAR CITY, Utah - Nov. 10 - Southern Utah women's basketball got its first test run under first-year head coach JR Payne and did not disappoint as the Thunderbirds posted a 74-51 exhibition victory over the Dixie State Red Storm on Tuesday night.

"This was great," Payne said after the game.  "It was great to come out and compete against an outside team and see where we are at.  We were a little frantic and we'll need to settle down to be successful, but it will be fun to see what we can do."

Southern Utah recorded the first basket of the game, but the teams went back and forth culminating in a 16-16 deadlock midway through the first half.  It was then that the Thunderbirds made their run, building a lead of 31-20 on a layup by Dani Hosking following one of four steals by SUU during the first 20 minutes.  The Red Storm came to as close as six (33-27) with just over a minute in the half, but freshman Tayler Anderson recorded the final four points of the frame to give the T-Birds a double-digit lead of ten (37-27) going into the locker rooms.

SUU finished the first half shooting over 45 percent from the floor with Caitlyn Sears and Hosking pacing the team with ten points each.

The Thunderbirds continued to built their lead coming out of the intermission as Challis Pascucci recorded the first eight points of the half, helping the team build a lead of 45-27.  The advantage grew to over 20 with just under 14 minutes to play as Pascucci's pass from the high post found just the right angle on the entrance pass to Jamie Sagers in the low post, creating an easy layup.

Dixie State was only able to get as close as 17 during the final stretch of the game as the Thunderbirds tied up the 74-51 victory when the final whistle blew.

Pascucci and Hosking led the team with 16 points each, as Pascucci also pulled down a game-high 13 rebounds for the double-double.  They were joined in double figures by Sears with 14 and freshman Chanel Thorley with ten.  The Thunderbirds were able to log production from each player on the floor as all ten players for SUU recorded at least one point during the contest.  Courtney Spawn led the Red Storm with 14 points and was the only player for Dixie in double figures.

Southern Utah will open its regular season this Friday when the Thunderbirds host the UNLV Lady Rebels.  Tip-off for that game is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. in the Centrum Arena.