Weber State University Athletics
Weber State University
Louisiana
'Cats fall 87-85 in double OT at WBI Championship
3/26/2016 11:38:00 PM | Women's Basketball
LAFAYETTE, LA – The WBI Championship ended heartbreakingly for Weber State women's basketball as they fell 87-85 in double overtime. This was the first ever overtime championship game for the WBI and the fifth overall overtime game for Weber State.
"I'm so proud of the girls, they stepped up every time and they're just an amazing group," head coach Bethann Ord said. "We've played three of the four games on the road which is tough but to go through everything we've gone through this year it's amazing to be here.It's a testament to the strength this family and the heart and soul these kids have."
Weber State won the first quarter of play with a 16-13 score. Halfway through the second quarter the Wildcats had an eight point lead but found themselves in foul trouble and the Ragin' Cajun made six free throws and a layup to tie the score 31-31 at half time.
Weber State had a five point lead with three minutes left in the third quarter but Louisiana went on a 6-0 run claiming a 51-49 lead going into the fourth quarter.
Early in the fourth quarter Jaiamoni Welch-Coleman stepped up big with back-to-back three pointers tying the game 55-55. With just under two minutes left the Ragin' Cajun had a 68-62 lead over the Wildcats. Weber State answered with a 5-0 run bringing the score within one point with 30 seconds on the clock while Louisiana was shooting 0-5.
Weber State trailed by two with just eight seconds left in the game. Brittney Dunbar threw up a last second shot that went in forcing the game into overtime with a 69-69 score at the end of regulation.
The score was tied 77-77 with three seconds left in the first overtime and a last second half court shot by Quinn fell just short sending the game into double overtime.
Louisiana had a three point lead with just under two minutes left a pair of free throws by Thomas brought the score within one but the Ragin' Cajun sunk one free throw to give them an 87-85 win over Weber State in the WBI Championship game.
Weber State was led by Thomas who had 25 points. Throughout the course of the WBI tournament Thomas put up a total of 105 total points. Thomas also had the game high of four steals.
Dunbar ended her career at Weber State with a new career high of scoring with 23 points. Dunbar also had the game high of six assists. Dunbar's three assists make her the all-time single season leader for steals having 109 total on the year.
Emily Drake also scored in double figures with 12. Kailie Quinn and Jocelyn Adams shared the game high rebounds with seven each.
Louisiana's Keke Veal had 32 points before fouling out early in the fourth quarter. Siome Fields and Kia Wilridge also scored in double figures with 17 each.
Louisiana, who played all four games of the WBI at home, shot 41 percent from the field, 33 percent from the three and 78 percent from the free throw line. The Ragin' Cajun had 38 rebounds and only 15 turnovers.
The Wildcats shot 55 percent from the field. This is the second game in a row the Wildcats have shot 50 percent or better. The Wildcats shot 39 percent from the three and only 72 percent from the free throw line. Weber State had 32 rebounds and 28 turnovers.
Weber State ended their season as the winningest team in school history with a 23-12 overall record.
