Weber State University Athletics
Weber State University
at Brigham Young
Wildcats Fall 87-70 at BYU
11/28/2009 5:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Provo, UT - A big second half run propelled BYU to a 87-70 win over Weber State Friday night at the Marriott Center in Provo. The Wildcats held the lead in the second half but couldn't hold off the Cougars run as they remain unbeaten on the season.
BYU held a 5-4 lead early on when the Cougars went on a 13-0 run and took control in the first half. Weber State didn't give up and posted a 13-5 run of their own late in the half. Damian Lillard scored all nine of his first half points in the final six minutes of the half. The Cougars held a 38-34 lead at the break.
The Wildcats opened the second half with a 9-2 run and took a 43-40 lead with 18:18 to play. The 'Cats led again at 53-51 with 12:51 to go. BYU held a 58-57 lead after with 9:50 to play when the Cougars went on a 18-3 run over the next five minutes to blow the game open. The Wildcats were held without a field goal for nearly six minutes. In that stretch BYU made five three-point field goals.
The Cougars shot 63 percent from the field in the second half and finished the night shooting 49 percent, compared to 40 percent for the Wildcats. Weber State out rebounded BYU 37-31 but the Wildcats committed 18 turnovers and the Cougars shot 28-33 from the free throw line.
"It was a battle and I was really pleased of the way our team played," said WSU head coach Randy Rahe. BYU is a great team and they are tough to beat anywhere. I was proud of the way our team fought hard and kept battling. It was a high-level game and I was pleased with our effort."
Lillard led the Wildcats with a season-high 23 points. He was 8-16 from the field, including knocking down four three-pointers and had three steals. It was the third time in five games Lillard has scored 20 or more points.
Lindsey Hughey added a career-high 16 points for the Wildcats, shooting 6-9 from the field, including 4-5 from three-point land. Kyle Bullinger added nine points and a game-high nine rebounds for the 'Cats.
Jimmer Fredette led BYU with 23 points as the Cougars improved to 5-0 with the win, while the Wildcats fall to 1-4.
The Wildcats dropped to 0-18 all-time against BYU in Provo and have now lost seven-straight overall to the Cougars.
Weber State will continue its in-state schedule when the 'Cats host Utah Wednesday night at 7:00 p.m. at the Dee Events Center.
