Weber State falls 80-77 at NAU

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. - Weber State dropped a tough road game 80-77 Saturday afternoon at Northern Arizona in the second Big Sky game of the season.

The Wildcats got off to a great start and led 22-14 with 11:45 to play when a scuffle broke out between the two teams. Two players, Weber State's Alex Tew and NAU's Carson Towt, were ejected for shoving, and NAU's Jack Wistrcill was ejected for leaving the bench.

After the nearly 10-minute delay after the scuff, NAU responded with a 12-0 run to regain the lead. After a WSU run, the 'Jacks also closed the first half on an 11-1 run and led 41-38 at halftime.

There were seven ties and 10 lead changes in the second half. The Wildcats went on a 6-0 run and led by four points with 5:35 to play. The Lumberjacks then had a 7-0 run and took a three-game lead with four minutes to play.

Another Wildcat run put the 'Cats up two with 2:19 to play, but the Lumberjacks responded with a 9-4 run to finish the game as WSU's final 3-point attempt was off.

NAU shot 51 percent from the field with the Wildcats at 45 percent. Weber State made seven 3-pointers and was 18 of 20 from the free throw line. The 'Cats also outrebounded the Lumberjacks 34-29.

For the second straight game, Weber State had five players finish in double figures, led by senior Vasilije Vucinc who had a career-high 19 points. Vucinic was 7 of 11 from the field and 5 of 5 from the free throw line and grabbed eight rebounds.

Blaise Threatt had 15 points with six assists with 11 points in the second half. Dyson Koehler had 13 points with two three-pointers, all coming in the first half.

Miguel Tomley and Viljami Vartiainen each added 10 points with two 3-pointers.

The 'Cats played without junior Nigel Burris who missed the game with an ankle injury.

Trent McLaughlin, the preseason Big Sky MVP, had 30 points with seven rebounds.

Weber State will have just one game next week, playing at Idaho State on Saturday, January 11. The Wildcats are the only team in the conference to start Big Sky play with three straight road games and will play five of their first seven games on the road.

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Team Stats

Vasilije Vucinic

Blaise Threatt

Dyson Koehler

Miguel Tomley

Players Mentioned

Nigel Burris

Dyson Koehler

Alex Tew

Blaise Threatt

Miguel Tomley

Viljami Vartiainen

Players Mentioned

Nigel Burris

Dyson Koehler

Alex Tew

Blaise Threatt

Miguel Tomley

Viljami Vartiainen

Weber State University Athletics