Wildcats drop charity exhibition game at Utah State

LOGAN - Weber State played the first of two exhibition games before the 2024-25 season with a charity exhibition game Friday night. Utah State beat the Wildcats 85-66 at the Smith Spectrum.

All net proceeds from the game will benefit CAPSA, a nonprofit domestic violence, sexual abuse, and rape recovery center serving Cache Valley and the Bear Lake area. CAPSA offers free and confidential services, including a 24/7 crisis support line, emergency shelter, transitional housing, clinical therapy, casework, and advocacy.

The teams are expected to play a charity exhibition game next season in Ogden.

In Friday's contest, the Aggies shot 49 percent from the field, compared to 42 percent for the Wildcats.

Utah State jumped out to a 42-28 lead at halftime after shooting 54 percent from the field and holding the Wildcats to 32 percent shooting.

WSU led 9-5 before a 21-4 run over eight minutes gave the Aggies a 26-13 lead. WSU later went on an 8-0 run and cut the lead to five with 3:01 to play in the half, but Utah State closed the first half on a 9-0 run.

The USU lead was never less than 15 points and the Aggies led by as many as 27.

The Wildcats knocked down eight 3-pointers and finished the game 8 of 23 from 3-point range for 35 percent.

Head coach Eric Duft played 12 players in the game. Viljami Vartianien led the Wildcats with 16 points. He was 5 of 6 from the field, including 4 of 4 from 3-point range and 2 of 2 from the free throw line, all in just 23 minutes of action.

Blaise Threatt added 15 points for the Wildcats as he was 5 of 8 from the field and had three rebounds and three assists.

Freshman Trevor Henning had nine points, all coming in the second half. Nigel Burris, a former Aggie, scored seven points with six rebounds, and new Wildcat transfer Miguel Tomley added six points.

Vasilije Vucinic, Marko Sarenac, Nemanja Sarenac, and David Hansen also scored for the Wildcats.

Weber State will play one more exhibition game on Monday, October 28, against Adams State at the Dee Events Center. Admission is free for all fans.

The regular season begins on November 4.

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Team Stats

Viljami Vartiainen

Blaise Threatt

Trevor Hennig

Nigel Burris

Players Mentioned

Nigel Burris

David Hansen

Marko Sarenac

Nemanja Sarenac

Blaise Threatt

Miguel Tomley

Vasilije Vucinic

Weber State University Athletics