ST. GEORGE - If knowledge is power, Shanae Vaifanua had to feel like a superwoman, especially in the second half.
Once Dixie State shook off its struggles, the end result provided the perfect holiday present.
Vaifanua scored 16 of her game-high 23 points after intermission as DSC pulled away to a 90-77 win over Northwest Missouri State on Monday at Burns Arena.
"We came out excited and got a little ahead of ourselves," said Vaifanua, whose output was one point off her season high. "To get this win really helps. We got rid of the tough games and now we can get off the roller coaster."
Leading only 40-37 at the half, Dixie State (6-5) kicked its offensive game into high gear behind Vaifanua and Courtney Boyd, who added 20 points and nine assists to lead the second-half charge.
"We wanted to go out with a bang and not be under .500 heading home (for the holiday break)," Boyd said. "We did what was necessary."
NWMSU had trailed 27-12 with 7:38 left in the first half, but went on a 20-2 tear over the next five minutes to claim the lead for the first and only time at 32-29 with 2:46 left.
"We lost composure and it wasn't pretty," Boyd said of DSC's first-half lapse. "We played hot potato out there and didn't take care of the ball, making tired mistakes."
While struggling to find rhythm in the opening 20 minutes, Dixie State shot 60 percent from the floor in the second half and built its lead to as much as 20 points.
"What a game by Boyd. I'll take those numbers all night," said head coach Angie Kristensen.
In total, four different players scored in double figures for Dixie State. In addition to Vaifanua and Boyd, Jessie Ingraham added 16 points and BreAnne Haslam had 10.
"We're all smart players and know where our shots and spots are on the floor," Vaifanua said. "Our chemistry's gotten better since the beginning of the year."
Northwest Missouri State (4-6) was led by Rickeya McElroy, who finished with 18 points. The Bearcats got to the free-throw line more than Dixie State (23-of-30 to 11-of-19), but was hurt with only 36.7 percent shooting from the floor.
"I'm excited for where we are as a group. We've gotten immensely better because we take pride in hard work," Boyd said.
Dixie State will enjoy the holiday break and work toward the Pacific West Conference opener on Jan. 3 when Chaminade comes to Burns Arena. Kristensen will have two key players back in the lineup Ð Lindsey Chettinger and Keeshya Cox.
"Before the season started, I knew the schedule was going to be extremely tough, but for our kids to go through what they've gone through and be above .500 makes me extremely happy. We lost some games we should have won, but I'll take where we're at," she said.
