Weber State University Athletics
Weber State University
Eastern Washington
Wildcats lose in overtime; still make tournament
3/8/2015 5:57:00 AM | Men's Basketball
OGDEN - Weber State dropped a 79-71 overtime game to Eastern Washington in the final regular season game of the year Saturday night at the Dee Events Center. However, the Wildcats are still advancing to the Big Sky Tournament.
Weber State will be the eighth seed in the Big Sky Conference Tournament which will be held Thursday-Saturday in Missoula, Mont. The Wildcats will play top seeded Montana Thursday night in Missoula.
Saturday night against the Eagles Weber State had a strong first half including an 18-0 run. With the Wildcats up 17-16 with 10:50 to play, Weber State went on an 18-0 run over the next six minutes and led by as many as 19. Eastern Washington cut into the lead but the Wildcats still led 39-27 at halftime.
Weber State led by 11 with 12:31 to play when the Eagles got things going, posting a 7-0 run to cut the lead to four with 10:33 to play. They tied the game at 59-59 with 6:06 to play. In the final six minutes there were four ties but Weber State continued to maintain the lead. Eastern Washington missed two shots in the final seconds that would have won the game.
The Wildcats went to overtime for the first time all season but it was all Eastern Washington in the extra period. The Wildcats scored the first bucket but the Eagles finished the overtime on an 10-0 run to seal the win.
With the win the Eagles earn a share of the Big Sky title with Montana at 14-4.
The Wildcats shot 47 percent from the field in the game and held EWU to 42 percent shooting. Both teams knocked down eight 3-pointers but Weber State struggled from the free throw line, shooting 56 percent, their lowest of the season. Eastern Washington also outrebouned the Wildcats 45-39 and the 'Cats had 18 turnovers.
Richaud Gittens led Weber State with 22 points and added three rebounds and two assists. Joel Bolomboy had his Big Sky-best 12th double-double, finishing with 14 points and 11 rebounds. He also had two blocked shots and became Weber State's career leader in blocks. Chris Golden added 13 points and two steals and senior James Hajek had six points, nine rebounds and three blocked shots in the final home game of his career.
Tyler Harvey, the nation's leading scorer, had 24 points in the game to lead the Eagles and Venky Jois added 22 points and 16 rebounds.
The Wildcats end the regular season with a 13-16 overall record and an 8-10 mark in Big Sky play.
The conference tournament will be held in Missoula for the third time in the last four years. Weber State will be the eighth seed and will take on top seeded Montana Thursday at 8 p.m. in Missoula.
Big Sky Conference Tournament
Dahlberg Arena, Missoula, Mont.
All times Pacific
Thursday, Mar. 12
11 a.m. - No. 2 Eastern Washington vs. No. 7 Idaho
1:30 p.m. - No. 3 Sacramento State vs. No. 6 Portland State
5:30 p.m. - No. 4 Northern Arizona vs. No. 5 Northern Colorado
8 p.m. - No. 1 Montana vs. No. 8 Weber State
Friday semifinals - 5:30 and 8 p.m.
Saturday championship at 7 p.m., ESPNU
