Weber State University Athletics
Weber State University
Portland State
Lillard's 40 gets 'Cats back on winning track
2/3/2012 5:11:00 AM | Men's Basketball
OGDEN, Utah --- Damian Lillard scored 40 points to help get Weber State back on the winning track with a 92-79 win over Portland State Thursday night at the Dee Events Center. With the win the Wildcats improve to 17-4 overall and 9-1 in Big Sky action.
Lillard, the nation's leading scorer, finished with 40 points, just one off his career-high and two off the Dee Events Center record. Lillard was 13-18 from field, including 6-8 from three-point land. He was also 8-10 from the free throw line along with five assists.
It was the sixth time in school history a Wildcat has scored 40 or more points. Lillard is now averaging 25.1 points per game.
Lillard scored 38 points against Portland State on Jan. 7 in Portland.
In addition to Lillard, Scott Bamforth added 16 points and pulled down a career-high eight rebounds. He also tied his career-high with seven assists. Kyle Bullinger added eight points for the Wildcats.
Portland State jumped out to an early three-point lead but the Wildcats went on a 15-2 run over the next four minutes. The Vikings cut the lead to three points near the end of the first half but WSU finished the half on a 7-3 run and held a seven-point lead at halftime.
Portland State was never closer than six points the rest of the game. Charles Odum led Portland State with 26 points but the Vikings lost their third straight game and fell to 4-6 in league play.
Weber State shot 54 percent from the field and held the Vikings to 49 percent shooting. The 'Cats were 15-28 from three-point land. PSU outrebounded the Wildcats 33-27 but Weber State committed just six turnovers on the night.
"We came back and played really hard tonight and picked up a nice win," said WSU head coach Randy Rahe. "I thought we played really well and are moving in the right direction. Obviously Damian played a terrific all-around game and was more like the Damian he was earlier this season."
The Wildcats improved to 12-0 at home this season with their 13th straight home win. The 'Cats are back home Saturday to host Northern Colorado at 5:00 p.m. in a game televised on Altitude TV.
