Weber State University Athletics
Weber State University
Portland State
Weber State Wins Its 8th Straight Game With A 78-68 Win Over Portland State
2/14/2009 7:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Wildcats Clinch A Bye Into The Big Sky Conference
Post-Season Tournament With A 78-68 Homecourt Win Over Portland State
Kellen McCoy scored 16 points, including a perfect 10-10 at the free throw line, leading the Weber State Wildcats to a 78-68 win over defending Big Sky Conference champion Portland State, Saturday night before 4,811 inside the Dee Events Center. The win gave the Wildcats a "sweep" of the Vikings. WSU won 80-66 in Portland, Oregon earlier this season.
The Wildcats were cruising along in the second half holding 68-57 lead with 4:03 remaining on a three-pointer by Damian Lillard. But the Vikings came back with an 8-2 scoring run, pulling to within five at 70-65 on two free throws by Andre Murray.
A bucket by Daviin Davis following the free throws put the ?Cats back up by seven. McCoy then made four straight free throws making it 76-65 with 40 seconds left. Portland State's Jeremiah Dominguez drilled his sixth three-pointer of the game cutting back to eight, but McCoy's two free throw with 32 seconds left sealed the deal.
Portland State (17-9 / 8-5 Big Sky) out scored the Wildcats by six from the field, but was just 7-12 from the free throw line while the Wildcats made 19-23 (.826). Dominguez led all scorers with 24. Dominic Waters had 12 and Kyle Coston, 10.
The Wildcats (17-8 / 11-1 Big Sky) won their eighth straight game and assured themselves of finishing no worse than second, avoiding a first-round game on Saturday, March 7. Damian Lillard had 14 points and Nick Hansen scored all 12 of his in the first half on 4-8 from the three-point arc.
The Wildcats now have a showdown with Montana this coming Thursday, February 19 in Missoula. The Grizzlies are 10-3 in league play. Montana is the only team in the Big Sky Conference this season which has NOT LOST at HOME GAME. Weber State is the only team in the Big Sky Conference this season which has NOT LOST a ROAD GAME.
