Weber State University Athletics
Weber State University
Northern Arizona
Wildcats pick up first Big Sky win over NAU, 66-53
1/16/2015 4:44:00 AM | Women's Basketball
OGDEN, Utah – Weber State University's women's basketball team picked up their first Big Sky Conference win as they took down Northern Arizona University 66-53 Thursday night.
The Wildcats took an 11 point lead with 6:55 left in the first half. They carried that momentum through half-time and led 24-16 going into the second half. With 15:43 left on the clock the Wildcats had a lead of 14 points. NAU brought the score within four with just under three minutes left but the Wildcats sank 11 free throws to end the game 66-53.
“I was happy with the way the game went,” Head Coach Bethann Ord said. “We did a lot better at executing our offense tonight and we had some really good plays. I was really proud of the girls, they came in, stepped it up, and knocked it down.”
The Wildcats had four players in double figures. Junior Britney Dunbar led the Wildcats with a career high of 12 points. Junior Regina Okoye had 11 on the night and freshman Kailie Quinn and senior Brianna Averette each had 10 for the Wildcats. Zakiyyah Shahid-Martin and Jalen Carpenter each pulled down 10 rebounds for the Wildcats. Dunbar also contributed four assists for the Wildcats.
Weber State shot 38.6 percent from the field, 35.3 percent from the three and 76.2 percent from the free throw line. Weber State pulled down 39 rebounds to NAU's 37.
“We just really kept our composure tonight,” Dunbar said. “When they went on a run we stayed focused and just battled through it.”
The Lumberjacks had three players in double figures. Erikka Banks led NAU with 15 points. Mariah Willadsen had 14 for the night and Raven Anderson had 12. NAU shot 36.7 percent from the field, 22.2 percent from the three and 77.8 percent from the free throw line.
“We just need to carry this momentum over into the next game,” Dunbar said. “We are excited to be at home and we're going to keep working hard to get the next win.”
The Wildcats are 1-4 in the Big Sky and will continue conference play this weekend by hosting Southern Utah Saturday, January 17, at 2 p.m.
“SUU is going to be a battle,” Ord said. “They are going to come in here working hard and I'm excited for my girls to give our best effort on Saturday.”
