Weber State University Athletics
Weber State University
Utah
Utes Stave Off Weber State's Second Half Charge for a 74-64 Win
12/20/2008 7:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Utah guard Tyler Kepkay scored 18 of his game high 21 points in the second half, 12 of them coming in the final five minutes, leading the Utes to a 74-64 win over Weber State on Saturday afternoon inside the Jon M. Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City.
The Runnin' Utes shot 61 percent from the field in the first half behind 12 points from Carlon Brown and eight points from 7-2, 265 center Luke Nevill to forge a 41-29 half time lead, using a 13-5 scoring run in the final five minutes.
The Wildcats came out with determination in the second half and quickly went on a 20-4 scoring run, culminated by a three-pointer from guard DAMIAN LILLARD at the 14:08 mark, giving the ?Cats a 49-45 lead.
Over the next nine minutes, the tried to take the lead but were rebuffed by the Wildcats on several possessions. WSU took its final lead of the game at the 7:20 mark on a lay up by TREVOR MORRIS making it 56-55.
Carlon Brown made one of two free throws to tie the game with 6:27 remaining. Nevill began the final charge for the Utes with a bucket at 5:19, Kepkay then began his torrid scoring flurry hitting a three-pointer after WSU's Kellen McCoy missed a driving lay up giving Utah a five point margin at 61-56.
Wildcat forward KYLE BULLINGER knocked down a long three with 4:40 left pulling the ?Cats to within two at 61-59, but Kepkay followed a long three of his own just 13 seconds later putting Utah back up by five at 64-59.
Kepkay's two free throws at the 3:35 mark and a lay up a minute later, gave the Utes a nine point lead at 68-59 and the Wildcats couldn't answer and the Utes pulled away for the win.
The Wildcats shot 52 percent in the second half and held Utah to just 8-21 (.381), but the Utes were 14-16 from the line in the half, the Wildcats just 4-4 and 6-8 for the game.
It marked the first time Weber State has lost this season when placing four or more players in double figure scoring. DAMIAN LILLARD and STEVE PANOS each had 13 points to lead the ?Cats. KYLE BULLINGER and KELLEN McCOY had 12 each as the Wildcats fall to 5-5 .
Utah also had four players in double figures led by Kepkay's game high 21. Carlon Brown had 19 while Luke Nevill and Shaun Green each chipped in with 12. Utah goes to 6-4.
Next up for the Wildcats is a Monday, December 22 game vs. Texas-Pan American at the Mississippi Gulf Coast Classic in Gulfport, Mississippi. Tip off vs. the UTPA Broncs is set for 4:00 p.m. (MST).
