Wildcats return home to host Bobcats this weekend

Fresh off a two-game road sweep and winners of six of the last seven games, Weber State returns to the Dee Events Center for two games against Big Sky-leading Montana State this weekend. The Wildcats will host the Bobcats Thursday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 12 p.m. at the Dee Events Center. A limited number of fans will be allowed to the games this weekend. Both games will also be streamed online on Pluto TV 1054 and WatchBigSky.com as well as on the radio on 103.1 FM "The Wave". Saturday's game will also be televised throughout Utah on KJZZ TV.

ABOUT THE WILDCATS

Weber State is 9-4 overall on the season and 4-2 in Big Sky play. The Wildcats are coming off a road sweep of two games at the University of Idaho last weekend. WSU beat the Vandals 81-56 on Thursday and followed that up with an 81-62 win on Saturday afternoon. In the two games the Wildcats shot 51 percent from the field and knocked down 19 3-pointers in the two games.

WSU has won six of its last seven games. In those seven games, WSU is averaging 87.6 points per game and shooting 53 percent from the field, including 46 percent from 3-point range. The Wildcats are also averaging 11.6 3-pointers per game during that stretch.

WILDCATS ARE FOURTH IN THE NATION IN 3-POINT SHOOTING

Weber State ranks fourth in the country in 3-point field goal shooting at 41.3 percent. The Wildcats have shot better than 40 percent from 3-point range in five of the last six games, including both games last week. On the season, the Wildcats are also 20th in the country in 3-pointers per game, averaging 9.8 per contest. So far this year, WSU has made 10 or more 3-pointers eight times, and the 'Cats are 7-1 in those games.

OFFENSIVE OUTPUT

Weber State also leads the Big Sky and ranks 10th in the nation in scoring offense, at 83.8 points per game. WSU is also 14th in the country in scoring margin (+16.4), 18th in field goal percentage (.497) and 18th in free throw percentage (.775).

SEASON TRENDS

Weber State is 9-1 this season when leading the opponent in field goal percentage and 0-3 when trailing. The 'Cats are also 8-1 when leading in 3-point percentage. WSU is 7-0 when leading at halftime and just 1-4 when trailing at the break.

I LOVE THE 80'S

80 has been the magic number for the Wildcats this year. Weber State is 8-0 this season when scoring 80 or more points, but just 1-4 when scoring less than 80 points. WSU has scored 80 or more in five of the last six games. In the 15 years under coach Rahe, Weber State is a startling 134-9 when scoring 80 or more points in a game.

On defense, 70 has been the number. WSU is 7-0 when holding opponents under 70 points but just 2-4 when allowing opponents to reach 70.

CAREER-HIGH FOR SISOHO JAWARA

Wildcat sophomore Seikou Sisoho Jawara scored a career-high 23 points in Saturday's win at Idaho. Jawara was 10 of 15 from the field, including 3 of 5 from 3-point range in Saturday's win and also added three assists, three rebounds and two steals. In the two games last week, he shot 67 percent from the field and was 5 of 8 from 3-point range.

On the season, Jawara has started all 13 games for the Wildcats and is averaging 10.3 points and 3.1 assists per game, which is eighth best in the Big Sky. Jawara is also shooting 47 percent from the field and 38 percent from 3-point range.

DONTAY BASSETT POSTS CAREER-HIGHS IN WIN

Wildcat senior Dontay Bassett also had a career stat filled day in Saturday's win. The Oakland, California native finished with 15 points, eight rebounds, four assists, three blocks and two steals in the win. He was also a perfect 8 of 8 from the free throw line.

On the year, Bassett has played in 11 games and started the last eight games. He is averaging 8.5 points per game, while shooting 46 percent from the field and 90 percent from the free throw line. He also leads the team and is third in the Big Sky in blocks at 1.2 per game and is pulling down 4.4 rebounds per game.

HOME SWEET HOME

Weber State returns to the Dee Events Center, where the Wildcats are a perfect 6-0 at home this season. In the 15 years under Randy Rahe, Weber State is 173-39 (.816) overall at home and is 108-26 (.806) in Big Sky games.

BIG SKY RANKINGS

Weber State leads the Big Sky in seven different statistical categories and rank in the top three in five others. WSU is first in the league in scoring offense, scoring margin, field goal percentage, 3-point percentage, blocks, assists and 3-pointers per game. The 'Cats also rank second in free throw percentage, field goal defense and turnover margin and are third in 3-point defense and steals.

Individually, senior Isiah Brown is third in the Big Sky in scoring at 18.3 points per game, and is also third in free throw percentage at 82.7 percent and ranks sixth in field goal percentage and assists. Zahir Porter leads the league in free throw percentage at 87.5 percent. Dillon Jones in third in steals and Bassett ranks third in blocks.

ABOUT MONTANA STATE

Montana State enters this weekend on top of the Big Sky standings at 6-0, and is 9-3 overall. The Bobcats had last weekend's series against Montana canceled due to COVID-19 protocol. Montana State has series wins over Northern Colorado, Portland State and Northern Arizona, with their last games on Jan. 23.

This season MSU leads the Big Sky in field goal percentage defense, allowing opponents to shoot just 39.4 percent from the field. The Bobcats are also third in the league in free throw percentage and fourth in field goal percentage, scoring offense, scoring margin and turnover margin.

Xavier Bishop leads the Bobcats in scoring at 15.6 points per game, sixth best in the Big Sky, with Amin Adamu right behind at 15.4 a game. Adamu is also second in the conference in field goal percentage at 51.2 percent.

Former Bobcat great Danny Sprinkle is in his second season as head coach at Montana State. Sprinkle played four seasons at MSU from 1995-96 and still ranks in the school's top 10 in career scoring.

SERIES HISTORY

Weber State holds an 85-38 all-time series lead over Montana State and the 85 wins is the most by the Wildcats against any opponent in its history. The Bobcats won the two games last season, which snapped an 11-game Weber State winning streak in the series.

In games in Ogden, Weber State is 52-8 all-time and has won nine of the last 10.

TIP-INS

Michal Kozak now has 515 career rebounds which ranks 26th in WSU history. He is also eighth in career blocks with 94. Kozak has played in 109 career games at Weber State... Randy Rahe recently became the Big Sky's all-time leader in games coached. Rahe is now 287-177 overall in his 15th season at Weber State and the 464 all-time games coached is more than any coach in conference history. He also is the all-time leader in wins.

UP NEXT

After this weekend, WSU has eight scheduled conference games remaining. Weber State will hit the road at Montana for two games next weekend, before returning home to host Northern Arizona on Feb. 18 and 20.

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Players Mentioned

Dontay Bassett

Isiah Brown

Dillon Jones

Michal Kozak

Zahir Porter

Seikou Sisoho Jawara

Weber State University Athletics