Weber State University Athletics
Weber State University
19-7, 11-2
Southern Utah
4-20, 2-12
Bolomboy's career-high 34 leads Wildcats past SUU
2/19/2016 6:49:00 AM | Men's Basketball
CEDAR CITY, Utah -- Joel Bolomboy's had a career-high 34 points to lead Weber State to an 87-83 hard-fought win over Southern Utah Thursday night at the Centrum. The win moves the Wildcats into a tie for first place in the Big Sky standings at 11-2.
In a game that saw 57 fouls called and 80 total free throws, Weber State was able to pull out the victory behind Bolomboy's scoring. The senior was 10 of 14 from the field, including 2 of 2 from 3-point range and also shot 12 of 16 from the free throw line. He also grabbed two rebounds for his 23rd double-double in 26 games this season, the most in the nation. It was the first time he has reached 30 or more points in a game.
There were 11 lead changes in the first half but Weber State never trailed in the second half but SUU was close throughout. WSU led by three at 61-58 with 12:45 to play when the 'Cats got 10-straight points from Jeremy Senglin. The junior knocked down two 3-pointers and had a dunk in the three minute stretch that gave Weber State an 11-point lead.
But the Thunderbirds came right back with a 9-0 run to cut the lead to one point. The Wildcats extended the lead back to seven with 2:00 to play but SUU cut it two three with 26 seconds left. The game ended on a thunderous block by Bolomboy to seal the win.
Weber State shot 53 percent from the field, compared to 49 percent for Southern Utah. The Wildcats were 23 of 43 from the field and finished the game 34 of 54 from the free throw line. The Wildcats shot 28 more free throws than the Thunderbirds. SUU outrebounded the 'Cats 30-28.
“We didn't have our aggressiveness and didn't guard well in the first half but got it going a little better in the second half,” said WSU head coach Randy Rahe. “It's always a grind playing Southern Utah down here and we took their best shot. We made enough plays and were able to find a way to get out with a win.”
Senglin scored 15 points for the Wildcats on 5 of 8 shooting, including two 3-pointers. Freshman Cody John had a career-high 13 points with 10 of them coming from the free throw line.
The Wildcats are now 19-7 overall and are tied with Montana for first in the Big Sky at 11-2 with five conference games remaining. WSU continues its road trip at Northern Arizona Saturday at 4 p.m. The game will be televised on FOX Sports Arizona.
