Weber State University Athletics
Weber State University
at BYU
'Cats drop season opener 81-72 at BYU
11/9/2013 5:08:00 AM | Men's Basketball
PROVO, Utah – After a slow start Weber State's comeback wasn't enough as the Wildcats lost 81-72 to BYU Friday night in the Marriott Center in the season opener of the 2013-14 season.
BYU got off to a hot start while the Wildcats struggled early. The Cougars jumped out to a 17-3 lead with seven minutes into the game as WSU shot just 1-13 from the field to start the game.
BYU took its largest lead of 19 points with 6:30 to play in the half after a Tyler Haws three-pointer. The Cougars led 41-22 with 4:30 to play in the first half but the Wildcats closed the half on an 11-3 run to cut the lead to 11 at the break.
The Wildcats opened the second half on a 7-2 run and cut the lead to six at 46-40 two minutes into the half after a three-pointer from Jeremy Senglin. That's when BYU took over and posted a 15-1 run over the next 4:30 to take a 61-41 lead with 13:00 left. The Wildcats didn't stop and went on an 8-0 run of their own with two three-pointers by Davion Berry. BYU followed up with a 7-0 run and took a 19-point lead with under 8:00 to play. The 'Cats rallied back again and cut the lead to nine points several times in the final few minutes.
“We were really nervous at the start of the game and it showed,” said WSU head coach Randy Rahe. “We had good looks but just couldn't get any shots to fall and dug ourselves a hole. It's really hard to come back on a talented team like BYU on their court but I was really proud of our kids. I thought we fought and stayed together and showed some signs that we can be a really good basketball team. We showed some toughness and leadership in a tough environment and didn't quit in a tough environment and we have some things to build on.”
BYU shot 44 percent from the field, compared to 39 percent shooting for the Wildcats. WSU was 6-18 from three-point range. The Cougars also outrebounded Weber State 46-40 and the Wildcats committed 10 turnovers.
WSU had just four players score in the game led by Kyle Tresnak who posted a career-high 24 points on 10-16 shooting and pulled down six rebounds. Senior Davion Berry added 23 points on 8-16 shooting and pulled down five rebounds.
Senglin, a true freshman from Arlington, Texas, started the game and had 14 points, six rebounds and two steals. Sophomore Joel Bolomboy had his fifth career double-double, finishing with 11 points and 13 rebounds and added two blocks.
Haws had 28 points to lead BYU who has now won 11 straight games over Weber State. WSU falls to 0-20 all-time in Provo.
The 'Cats will be back on the road for their second game playing at Colorado State on Saturday, Nov. 16 at 3 p.m. in Fort Collins, Colo.
