Weber State University Athletics
Tuesday, November 22
Henderson, NV
5:30 p.m. MT
Weber State University
2-3,0-0Big Sky
77
vs
67
Abilene Christian
2-3,0-0WAC
1
2
F
Weber St.
40
37
77
Abilene Christian
40
27
67
Photo by: Kyzer Armendariz
Victory in Vegas; Wildcats beat Abilene Christian 77-67
11/22/2022 7:41:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Steven Verplancken scored a career-high 19 points and Weber State was 23 of 25 from the free throw line in the win.
HENDERSON, Nev. - In a battle of purple Wildcats, the Weber State Wildcats got back on the winning track with a 77-67 win over the Abilene Christian Wildcats in the second game of the Vegas 4 Tournament Tuesday afternoon at the Dollar Loan Center.
The Wildcats had a big second half run and shot 92 percent from the free throw line to secure the win and improve to 2-3 on the season.
The game was tied 40-40 at halftime and Abilene Christian led 60-58 midway through the second half when the Wildcats went on a 14-1 run over the next six minutes and took a 72-61 lead. Abilene Christian was never closer than six points the rest of the way.
Weber State shot 47 percent from the field and made six 3-pointers and the Wildcats were 23 of 25 from the free throw line, including making their first 19 free throw attempts. WSU also outrebounded ACU 32-22, including an 8-2 advantage on offensive rebounds.
"Our guys did a great job and really battled tonight," said head coach Eric Duft. "I was really proud of the way they battled and played when we drastically changed what we did tonight. Every win is precious and we needed that one."
Steven Verplancken scored a career-high 19 points and made four 3-pointers, including back-to-back 3-pointers during WSU's run in the second half.
Junior Ballard added 13 points for the Wildcats and was 8 of 8 from the free throw line.
Daniel Rouzan had career-highs of 12 points on 6 of 7 shooting and pulled down 10 rebounds for his first career double-double.
The 'Cats played without Dillon Jones who was kept out of the game.
The Wildcats will close out the action at the Vegas 4 Tournament with an afternoon game on Wednesday when the 'Cats take on Wright State. Tipoff at 1 p.m. Pacific time (2 p.m. MT) in the final game of the tournament.
The Wildcats had a big second half run and shot 92 percent from the free throw line to secure the win and improve to 2-3 on the season.
The game was tied 40-40 at halftime and Abilene Christian led 60-58 midway through the second half when the Wildcats went on a 14-1 run over the next six minutes and took a 72-61 lead. Abilene Christian was never closer than six points the rest of the way.
Weber State shot 47 percent from the field and made six 3-pointers and the Wildcats were 23 of 25 from the free throw line, including making their first 19 free throw attempts. WSU also outrebounded ACU 32-22, including an 8-2 advantage on offensive rebounds.
"Our guys did a great job and really battled tonight," said head coach Eric Duft. "I was really proud of the way they battled and played when we drastically changed what we did tonight. Every win is precious and we needed that one."
Steven Verplancken scored a career-high 19 points and made four 3-pointers, including back-to-back 3-pointers during WSU's run in the second half.
Junior Ballard added 13 points for the Wildcats and was 8 of 8 from the free throw line.
Daniel Rouzan had career-highs of 12 points on 6 of 7 shooting and pulled down 10 rebounds for his first career double-double.
The 'Cats played without Dillon Jones who was kept out of the game.
The Wildcats will close out the action at the Vegas 4 Tournament with an afternoon game on Wednesday when the 'Cats take on Wright State. Tipoff at 1 p.m. Pacific time (2 p.m. MT) in the final game of the tournament.
Team Stats
Weber
ACU
FG%
.471
.491
3FG%
.286
.529
FT%
.920
.545
RB
32
22
TO
18
15
STL
4
7
Game Leaders
Pts
19
FGM
6
3FGM
4
FTM
3
Pts
13
FGM
2
3FGM
1
FTM
8
Pts
12
FGM
6
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Pts
9
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
3
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's BasketballF
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