Box Score SAN RAFAEL, Calif. — The Conlan Center gym was electric on Thursday night. Dominican University of California honored former basketball player and coach Ron Powell with Ron Powell Tribute Night and a stirring halftime ceremony where Powell's No. 41 was ceremoniously retired. On the court, the Penguins faced Dixie State University in a Pacific West Conference battle for second place in the standings.

In the end the Penguins prevailed by raising over $5,000 — including $750 of personally-matched funds by President Mary Marcy — and a solid 105-90 victory over Dixie State in front of the biggest crowd of the season.

The Penguins (19-7/13-5 PacWest), who are No. 9 in the latest NCAA Division II West Region poll, did it with style versus the No. 5 regionally ranked Red Storm (19-5/13-5 PacWest). Dominique Taplin brought the crowd to its feet in the final minutes with a steal at mid court and a fast break dunk to hit the century mark.

It was another wire-to-wire win as the Penguins poured in 39-of-68 (57.4 percent) from the field and outrebounded Dixie State 41-31. Matt Hayes buried a three-ball to get things going. Christopher Schwartz-Edmisten and Karl Orhner buried threes of their own, and Connor Haysbert made it a 10-point game with an and-one at the nine-minute mark in the first half. A Myles Carrillo steal and outlet from Hayes to Josh Armstrong for another fast break sent Dominican into the locker room with a 52-37 halftime lead.

The Penguins went inside for 22 points, most of those coming from a career-high 29 points on 9-of-12 shooting by Haysbert. He pulled down 10 rebounds for his fourth double-double of the season.

"It felt really good to have a career scoring night on such a huge stage," said Haysbert. "The guys were able to knock down threes to spread the defense, which allowed them to find me for easy buckets."

Production came up and down the lineup with all five starters in double digits yet again and all nine players scoring. Taplin added 14, Carrillo and Hayes had 13 points apiece, and Armstrong scored a career-high 10 points. Schwartz-Edmisten added nine points and Jonny Bates had seven.

Dixie State's Zach Robbins, the PacWest's preseason player of the year, was held to seven points and just one rebound. The Red Storm was led by forward Dalton Groskreutz's 25 points.

To learn more about Powell, who passed away tragically in his sleep at the age of 43 earlier in the month, and to help support the Powell-Porrata family with a donation in their time of need, visit ezpowell.org.

Dominican hosts Academy of Art University on Monday, Feb. 24 in the final regular season home game of the year. Seniors Carrillo, Haysbert, and Devin Golston will be honored in a pregame Senior Night ceremony. Tipoff is slated for 7:30 p.m. at the Conlan Center. Live coverage will be available at dominicanathletics.com/live.