Weber State University Athletics
Weber State University
16-7 (8-2BSC)
North Dakota
12-10 (7-4BSC)
Wildcats come up short 78-71 at North Dakota
2/6/2016 10:34:00 PM | Men's Basketball
GRAND FORKS, N.D. - North Dakota beat Weber State for the first time ever as the Fighting Hawks picked up a 78-71 win over the Wildcats Saturday afternoon at the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center. The loss drops Weber State to 8-2 in Big Sky play.
The Wildcats led 13-12 early in the game before an 11-0 run by the Fighting Hawks gave North Dakota a 23-13 lead and they would never look back. Weber State cut the lead to four points with 1:05 to play but North Dakota made eight free throws in the final minute to seal the win.
“North Dakota played extremely well and you have to give them credit,” said WSU head coach Randy Rahe. “This was a tough environment against a really good team but we kept fighting and gave ourselves an opportunity. I'm really proud of our effort. North Dakota played terrific and we could have played better in some areas but it wasn't for lack of effort.”
The win was North Dakota's first ever win over the Wildcats in nine tries. UND improved to 12-10 overall and 7-4 in Big Sky play and has won six of its last eight games.
Weber State shot 50 percent from the field, compared to 45 percent for North Dakota and lost for the first time this season when outshooting its opponent. The Wildcats also knocked down 11 3-pointers but shot just 10 of 17 from the free throw line. WSU also committed 14 turnovers, compared to just five for UND and the Fighting Hawks outrebounded the Wildcats 32-30 and had 27 points off the bench.
WSU junior Jeremy Senglin kept Weber State in the game, finishing with 28 points and knocked down seven 3-pointers. Senglin played all 40 minutes and was 7 of 11 from 3-point range while dishing out four assists.
Joel Bolomboy had 13 points and grabbed eight rebounds, just the third time this season he has failed to record a double-double. Ryan Richardson added 11 points on three 3-pointers for the Wildcats.
Weber State returns home for two games next week, hosting Sacramento State Thursday and Portland State on Saturday.
