Weber State University Athletics
Saturday, November 7
Ogden, Utah
7:00 p.m.
Weber State University
75
vs
65
Colorado Christian (Exh.)
Weber State Defeats Colorado Christian 75-65 in Final Exhibition Game
11/8/2009 5:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
OGDEN, UTAH - Nick Hansen scored 22 points, hitting 6-11 from three-point range, leading Weber State to a hard fought 75-65 exhibition game win over Colorado Christian University, Saturday night in the Dee Events Center.
The CCU Cougars used a tough pressure defense to take the Wildcats out of their comfort zone in the first half, The Wildcats were just 12-31 (.387) from the field, 7-17 from the arc, and found themselves behind 32-21 at half time. CCU's Jobi Wall, a 6-7 shooting guard, used his height advantage to shoot over the Wildcats hitting 4-6 from the three-point line in the first half to lead the way. Hansen had 10 first half points for the 'Cats.
The Cougars took their last lead of the game with 15:44 remaining on a lay up by 6-11 center Justin Neuhaus making it 36-34. Just eight seconds later, Damian Lillard's long three-pointer ignited a 17-5 scoring run. Lillard ended the run with two free throws giving the Wildcats a 51-41 lead with 8:06 left.
WSU's biggest lead, 67-50, came with 3:24 remaining. The Cougars then put together a solid 14-8 scoring run to make it a ten point game at the end.
"This was a very good game for us to experience," said WSU head coach Randy Rahe. "This team was 21-13 last year and has almost everyone back. Their big guy in the middle give us some good looks on both ends and he was a load. They played tremendous defense, much like we will see next Friday from Utah State. It was a wake up call for us for sure, but I was pleased with the way they responded especially in the second half."
The Wildcats, who made 19-26 three-pointers in last Monday's 110-58 exhibition game win over Colorado-Colorado Springs, managed just 9-23 (.391) from long range. A 22-30 performance at the free throw line, 16-23 in the second half, was enough to over come and three-point deficit in field goal scoring.
The Cougars also out rebounded the Wildcats 37-29.
"We need to work on our rebounding," said Rahe. "We didn't do a very good job in the first half of finding and sealing our man, but a lot of it had to do with how well they were doing that very thing."
Franklin Session (6-3, 175 Jr.) a junior college transfer from Saddleback JC in Mission Viejo, California, had 18 points and six rebounds. Damian Lillard had 17 points but was held to just 2-7 from the arc after making all six attempts in last Monday's game.
Justin Neuhaus, a 6-11, 220 senior center, led CCU with 22 points and nine rebounds. Abram Ziemer added 14 points and Jobi Wall scored all 12 of his points in the first half. The Wildcats did manage to force 21 turnovers while committing just 13.
The Wildcats now prepare for their 2009-10 season opener next Friday, November 13 when they host instate rival Utah State University at 7:35 p.m. (MST) in the Dee Events Center. Weber State's women's team plays Dixie State in the first half of the doubleheader at 5:00 p.m.
Players Mentioned
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/ Men's Basketball
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