Boxscore
Up Dated Weber State MBB Stats
Weber State overcame a horrendous shooting night from the field by
rebounding, defending and making some timely free throws, to post a 69-60 win
over the #6 seed, Portland State University, in the second semifinal game of the
2010 America First Credit Union / Big Sky Conference Men's Basketball Tournament
in Ogden, Utah.
The Wildcats made just 20-60 shots from the floor (.333) and 7-26
(.269) from the three-point line, but out rebounded the Vikings 48-32, which
included a 17-5 margin in offensive rebounds. WSU's defense held PSU to 24-53
(.453) from the floor but the Vikings were just 6-17 (.353) from the free throw
line while the Wildcats made 22-31 (.710).
“I was really proud of our guys tonight for doing all the
little things it takes to win a game like this one,” said WSU head
coach Randy Rahe. “We took charges, got the loose balls, blocked out,
made some extra passes. Those things all add up. Obviously rebounding was the
difference. They had been averaging nearly 12 offensive boards per game and we
held them to five. They were the only team this season to out rebound us twice
this season, so we made it a point of emphasis to make sure we won that
battle.”
On a night when many Wildcats struggled, the reigning Big Sky MVP made
sure the Wildcats did not have a repeat of last season, losing to Montana State
at home in the semifinals, 71-60. DAMIAN LILLARD score 23 points, had four
assists and five rebounds in 37 minutes. FRANKLIN SESSION, who was 1-9 vs. in
the 84-79 loss at Portland State 10 days ago, scored 13 points, grabbed eight
rebounds and had two blocked shots and two steals in 34 minutes.
The Wildcats also got a big game off the bench from 6-9, 240 junior
center/forward TREVOR MORRIS who scored 10 points and had five rebounds in 21
minutes. The 'Cats needed all of those precious points fro Morris after the
Vikings had held WSU starting center STEVE PANOS TO JUST 1-4 shooting and just
three points.
“That is what has been great about our team this season. When
one or two of our starters has an off night, it seems like we have other
starters, or bench players, who come in and pick up the slack,” said
Rahe. “Trevor was a great example of that tonight. Steve isn't playing
well, so he comes in and scores 10 points and makes two big free throws in the
final two minutes.”
KYLE BULLINGER and NICK HANSEN, both of whom had been playing out of
sight in the last four games, were a combined 1-12 from the field and 1-9 from
the three-point line.
Hansen had made 24 of his last 34 shots from beyond the arc (.706)
but was just 1-7. He did, however, come through at the free throw line, making
4-4 in the final 35 seconds to keep the Vikings at bay. It was an ironic twist
of fate because Hansen had gone nine straight games without a free throw
attempt. His last two came on Jan. 22 at home VS. PORTLAND STATE, and they came
with less than 30 seconds left in a game the Wildcats won 86-83.
Weber States missed its first six shot attempts of the game and was
scoreless at the first media timeout with 15:55 on the clock. PSU had its
biggest, and last lead, of the game, 13-7, at the 14:14 mark on a jumper from
DOMINIC WATERS.
FRANKLIN SESSION they scored five straight points to pull the 'Cats to
within one at 13-12. The Wildcats then took the lead for good on a thunderous
baseline drive dunk by LILLARD which completed a 9-0 scoring run. The Wildcats
held a couple of eight points down the stretch and settled for a 33-27 lead at
halftime.
Portland State rallied back from a 35-26 early second half deficit to
tie the game at 35-35 on an old-fashion three-point play by forward JULIUS
THOMAS.
The Wildcats then put together a 12-2 scoring run over the next four
minutes. Two free throws from LILLARD at the 11:18 mark gave the 'Cats their
biggest lead of the game, 47-37. From that point on it was a grinder on both
ends. The Vikings gathered themselves together and made a run which pulled them
to within three at 52-49 on a jumper by DOMINIC WATERS with 5:06 left, but a lay
up by SESSION and NICK HANSEN'S lone three-pointer of the evening, quickly moved
the Wildcats back up by eight at 57-49 with 4:16 left.
Weber State's last basket came with 1:42 left on a jumper in the lane
by LILLARD which put the Wildcats back up 61-54 after WATERS had drained a long
three-ball to make it a five-point game.WATERS hit another deep three with
26 seconds left to make it a 65-60 game but HANSEN and LILLARD each made two
free throws each in the final 22 seconds and the Vikings were not able to get
the ball into the hoop.
WATERS, a 6-1 senior guard, led the Vikings with 19 points and added
five assists and five steals. JULIUS THOMAS, 6-5, 220 senior forward, was the
only other PSU player in double figure scoring with 18. Portland State ends the
season 13-19 overall.
Weber State moves to 20-9 overall. It is WSU's third 20+ win season in
the last four years, and marks the 24th time in 48 years as a four-year school
that the Wildcats have reached that plateau.The Wildcats now face the
University of Montana which defeated #2 seed Northern Colorado, 68-63, in the
first semifinal game.
The Wildcats and Grizzlies meet for the fourth time in the Conference
Post-Season Tournament championship game. The Wildcats are 3-1 in those games.
They defeated the Grizzlies 62-55 (OT) in Missoula, Montana in 1977-78. The
'Cats won 50-42 at Ogden in the 1979-80 tournament and 84-62 at Ogden in
1994-95. Montana defeated the Wildcats, 63-61, in the championship game of the
2004-05 tournament held in Portland, Oregon.
Montana and Weber State split the regular season games with the
Wildcats winning 64-56 in Ogden on Jan. 2 and losing to the Grizzlies 75-61 in
Missoula on Feb. 5.
Wednesday night's championship game will be carried LIVE on ESPN2 with
Dave Fleming and Bob Valvano calling the action.
