Weber State University Athletics
Weber State University
Utah
Wildcats Defeat Utes 80-51 to End Preseason
12/23/2011 5:43:00 AM | Men's Basketball
OGDEN, Utah – Four players scored in double figures and Weber State picked up its biggest win ever over the University of Utah as the Wildcats defeated the Utes 80-51 Thursday night at the Dee Events Center.
With the victory the 'Cats improve to 8-3 on the season as they head into Big Sky Conference play next week.
Damian Lillard, who is now tied for first in the nation in scoring, posted 22 points and had five assists to lead the Wildcats in scoring for the ninth time this season. He has scored 20 or more points eight times.
Three other Wildcats, Scott Bamforth, Kyle Tresnak, and James Hajek, each added 10 points for the 'Cats. Weber State pulled down 32 rebounds and held Utah to just 21 boards, the fewest of an opponent this season. Darin Mahoney had a season-high nine rebounds.
WSU shot 53 percent from the field and held Utah to 40 percent from the field.
Utah jumped out to an early five-point lead three minutes into the game but from there it was all Weber State. The 'Cats went on a 26-7 run over the next ten minutes and took a 20-point lead at halftime. Utah never got closer than 19-points the rest of the way.
I was really proud of the way we played tonight,” said WSU head coach Randy Rahe. “We stayed aggressive and played with great intensity and a lot of confidence. We are starting to play with some good rhythm and we are playing good basketball right now.”
Weber State has now two of their last three against the Utes.
The
'Cats will now prepare for Big Sky Conference play as they host Idaho State next
Thursday, Dec. 29 at the Dee Events Center.
