Weber State University Athletics
Weber State University
26-9
Xavier
28-5
Weber State's season ends with loss to Xavier
3/19/2016 4:28:00 AM | Men's Basketball
ST. LOUIS - Weber State's season came to an end with a 71-53 loss to Xavier Friday night in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
The two seed Xavier Musketeers never trailed in the game. They led 8-6 before a 13-0 run broke the game open. Xavier led 34-23 at halftime. The Wildcats shot just 27 percent from the field in the first half.
Weber State cut the lead to seven three times early in the second half including 56-49 with 8:10 to play. Xavier then went on an 8-0 run and never looked back.
The Wildcats shot 38 percent for the game, compared to 48 percent for Xavier. WSU was 4 of 21 from 3-point land and was outrebounded 43-27.
The game was the final game of the outstanding career of Weber State senior Joel Bolomboy, and fittingly, Bolomboy ended his career with a double-double. He scored 14 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for his 26th double-double of the season and the 75th of his career.
Bolomboy finishes his career as Weber State's and the Big Sky's career leading rebounding and Weber State's career leader in blocked shots. He also ranks seventh in career scoring. He finishes this season ranked third in the nation in rebounding and double-doubles and set a new WSU single-season in both categories.
Freshman McKay Cannon had a strong game for the Wildcats, finishing with 10 points, five assists and four steals, while knocking down two 3-pointers.
Richaud Gittens had eight points off the bench and Zach Braxton and Jeremy Senglin each had seven points.
The game marked Weber State's 16th trip to the NCAA Tournament, including their second in the last three years.
The loss ends WSU's season with a 26-9 overall record. Weber State started the year winning the Florida Gulf Coast Showcase, then won the Big Sky regular season title and the Big Sky Tournament title. WSU head coach Randy Rahe won his fifth Big Sky title in 10 years at Weber State and this season became WSU's all-time winningest coach and the Big Sky's career leader in conference wins.
“I couldn't be more proud of our team and what they've accomplished this year and how they've represented themselves on and off the court,” Rahe said. “We battled. We fought. That's what we've done all year. This team has won three championships this year and they've done something I don't think a lot of teams in the country can say they've done. They've had one hell of a season and they've earned every bit of it.”
