Weber State University Athletics
Weber State University
Northern Arizona
Wildcats Break Streak Against NAU
1/24/2009 7:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
OGDEN, Utah -- The Weber State women's basketball team (6-13 overall; 1-6 Big Sky) snapped its eight game losing streak on Saturday afternoon with a 73-51 win over Northern Arizona (6-14; 3-4) at the Dee Events Center.
"Great things happen when you are aggressive, especially on the defensive end and rebounding-wise," said WSU head coach Carla Taylor. "And that was the difference. We were way aggressive defensively, pressured the ball, trusted, were physical in the post, went flying after rebounds, and then it doesn't matter if you miss shots on the other end."
Weber State jumped on the Lumberjacks hard from the opening tip, scoring the first 10 points of the game. The Wildcats outscored NAU 20-4 over the first nine minutes of play and took a 37-15 lead into the locker room at halftime. WSU's defensive pressure held the 'Jacks to 17.2 percent shooting in the opening half.
In the second half, the Wildcats were determined to not let another lead slip away and held off any substantial runs by NAU. The Lumberjacks went on a 9-1 run to cut the lead to 15 with 14:30 left, but WSU responded and pushed the lead up to 24 with 7:25 remaining.
"The start usually isn't our problem. It's been sustaining the first half and what are we going to do the second half," said Taylor. "The difference was we tried to play 40 minutes of hell on the defensive end. That was our motto before we left the locker room to start the game."
Caitlin Anderson recorded 17 points and 11 rebounds in the first half to lead the Wildcats to the big lead. She finished the night with game-highs of 20 points and 17 rebounds. Her 17 boards matched her career-high, set against Elon on Nov. 29 earlier this season.
"It obviously helps when Caitlin plays that well," said Taylor. "That's the first game she's finally been back for a while. She just stopped trying to think through the game and just play the game and that's the kind of production you get out of Caitlin because she's capable of that."
Michelle Roberson came off the bench to score a career-high 15 points on 5 of 10 shooting, while Tonya Schnibbe added 12 points and a game-high 8 assists.
Katie Schafer led the Lumberjacks with 14 points on 5 of 13 shooting from the floor, while Janelle Matthews added 11 points. The Wildcats held NAU's top two scorers to a combined nine points as Lauren Hoisington had five points and Sade Cunningham had only four.
Weber State will leave the Big Sky schedule on Tuesday, Jan. 27 to face Utah Valley in Orem, Utah. They will then travel to Pocatello, Idaho to take on Idaho State as they wrap up the first half of the league slate.
