Weber State University Athletics
Weber State University
vs. #11 Portland State
'Cats pick up 91-68 win in BSC Tournament
3/8/2016 7:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
RENO, Nev. – Four players scored in double figures as Weber State rolled to a 91-68 victory over Portland State in the opening round of the Big Sky Championships Monday night at the Reno Events Center.
"I'm so proud of these young ladies on how hard they battled day in and day out to get to where we are," said head coach Bethann Ord. "It's because of the leadership we have. We've had some great young ladies step up this year. I'm really proud of what they've accomplished this year. They aren't going to give up, they're going to keep battling."
The first quarter started in favor of Portland State as they jumped out to an early 9-5 lead over the Wildcats. Jaiamoni Welch-Coleman made a layup and drew the foul making the free throw for a three point play that gave the Wildcats the lead for the first time in the game with 4:39 left in the first quarter.
Weber State went on a 13-1 run to end the first quarter giving them a 26-15 lead over the Vikings.
Portland State started the second quarter on a 12-0 run while Weber State remained scoreless for the first four minutes. Weber State managed to maintain the lead and later went on a 20-7 run to end the half for a 50-38 score.
Weber State started the third quarter getting the jump on Portland State with a 7-2 run. They increased their lead to 22 points. The Wildcats maintained the momentum into the fourth quarter and finished with a 91-68 final score.
Yarden Danan went 6-7 from the three for a new career high of 24 points. Brittney Dunbar had 17 points, four assists and four steals on the night. Welch-Coleman also put up a new career high of points with 16 and added five assists. Kailie Quinn went 4-8 from the three for 13 points.
"I knew that this was our game and I just did the best I could to help out my team," Danan said.
Weber State had a season high of 14 made three pointers going 14-26 for 53 percent. WSU shot 46 percent from the field and 78 percent from the free throw line. The Wildcats outrebounded the Vikings 48-36.
The last time Weber State won a game in the Big Sky tournament was in 2007 also over Portland State.
The Wildcats are now 20-10 overall on the season and 12-7 in Big Sky Conference play. Weber State will advance to the next round of the Big Sky Championships taking on the No. 3 seed, Idaho at 9:05 p.m. Wednesday March 9.
