Weber State University Athletics
Weber State University
Montana
Weber State falls 64-60 on Senior Night
2/21/2015 11:31:00 PM | Women's Basketball
OGDEN, Utah – The Weber State women's basketball team paid tribute to its three seniors on Saturday afternoon. Brianna Averette, Zakiyyah Shahid-Martin and Carlee Lough were all honored before the match. The Wildcats fought hard to defend their home court for the last time this season against the Montana Lady Griz but couldn't pull out a victory and fell 64-60 Saturday afternoon.
“I was so proud of the way the girls came and fought for each other tonight,” Ord said. “We never faltered and we never backed down. It came down to the end tonight and we just didn't get over that hump. You can see how hard the girls played and we left too much to chance tonight.”
The Lady Griz jumped out to an early 7-2. The Wildcats answered that with a 13-5 run and took the lead for the first time in the half with 12:36 remaining in the first half. Montana ended the half with a 12-7 run giving them a 33-28 lead at half-time.
Montana continued to charge during the second half and maintained at least a five point lead over the Wildcats. Weber State stayed close in the second half but couldn't take the lead and fell 64-60.
“There is a reason Montana is No. 1,” head coach Bethann Ord said. “If you have one mistake they are going to capitalize on it and that's what they did. We battled but against a team like that you have to do more than battle.”
Lough led the Wildcats with 18 points. Jalen Carpenter earned her eighth double double on the season by knocking down 11 points and pulling down 12 rebounds. Deeshyra Thomas added eight points for the Wildcats while Shahid-Martin pulled down seven rebounds.
Weber State shot 38 percent from the field, 30 percent from the three and 88 percent from the free throw line. Weber State pulled down 31 defensive rebounds. Both teams had 10 turnovers.
“It does hurt to have this loss but it's also great because we tightened things up,” Lough said. “We played so much better together tonight and it was a huge improvement compared to Thursday's game against Montana State.”
Montana had three players in double figures. Kayleigh Valley led the Lady Griz with a new career high of 26 points. Kellie Rubel had a double double with 17 points and 10 rebounds. McCalle Feller had 13 points for the Lady Griz. Montana shot 41 percent from the field, 19 percent from the three and 58 percent from the free throw line.
The Wildcats will hit the road for their final three games of the season. They will first take on Idaho State Saturday Feb. 28 before hitting the road to Idaho and Eastern Washington.
