Weber State University Athletics
Tijan Saine Jr. had a season-high 23 points in WSU's win over Campbell.
Photo by: Robert Casey
Wildcats build big second-half lead, hold off camels for 91–85 win
11/19/2025 11:50:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Five Wildcats scored in double figures in first game of Junction City Jam.
The Junction City Jam started with a thriller. Weber State used a dominant stretch early in the second half and a balanced scoring effort to secure a 91-85 victory over Campbell on Wednesday night at the Dee Events Center in the first game of the Junction City Jam. The Wildcats led for more than 24 minutes and built a game-high 21-point cushion before holding off a late Camels push.
Weber State held a 45-37 lead at halftime after a strong close to the first period, highlighted by an 8–0 run in the final minute. The Wildcats opened the second half with another burst—scoring nine straight and 17 of the first 21 points—to take control at 62-41. Campbell battled back with multiple scoring runs, including a late surge that trimmed the lead to two possessions, but Weber State answered at the line and held on for the home court win.
Five Wildcats scored in double figures, led by junior Tijan Saine Jr., who had a season-high 23 points on 8-of-13 shooting, including four three-pointers, and added seven assists, three rebounds, and three steals.
Viljami Vartiainen added 16 points with 14 in the first half and knocked down four 3-pointers. Jace Whiting added 17 points, shooting 7-for-10 from the field with three assists and three rebounds.
Malek Gomma had 12 points on 6-of-7 and pulled down nine rebounds. Edwin Suarez Jr. added 13 points, seven rebounds, and five assists.
Weber State shot 55 percent from the field, compared to 45 percent for Campbell. The 'Cats knocked down eight 3-pointers and held the Camels to 3 of 16 shooting from 3-point range. Both teams had 33 rebounds, and Weber State dished out 19 assists.
"We called it a culture game tonight, and that was a culture win," said WSU head coach Eric Duft. "I was proud of the guys that stepped in, and we had a lot of good performances. There were stretches when we were really good tonight, and we played well against a good team."
WSU played without sophomore Trevor Hennig, who missed the game with an injury.
The game was the first of the Junction City Jam tournament, the first preseason multi-team tournament WSU has held since 1991.
Campbell will take on UT Arlington on Friday at 1 p.m. in the second game of the tournament.
Weber State will host UT Arlington on Saturday at 7 p.m. in the final game.
Weber State held a 45-37 lead at halftime after a strong close to the first period, highlighted by an 8–0 run in the final minute. The Wildcats opened the second half with another burst—scoring nine straight and 17 of the first 21 points—to take control at 62-41. Campbell battled back with multiple scoring runs, including a late surge that trimmed the lead to two possessions, but Weber State answered at the line and held on for the home court win.
Five Wildcats scored in double figures, led by junior Tijan Saine Jr., who had a season-high 23 points on 8-of-13 shooting, including four three-pointers, and added seven assists, three rebounds, and three steals.
Viljami Vartiainen added 16 points with 14 in the first half and knocked down four 3-pointers. Jace Whiting added 17 points, shooting 7-for-10 from the field with three assists and three rebounds.
Malek Gomma had 12 points on 6-of-7 and pulled down nine rebounds. Edwin Suarez Jr. added 13 points, seven rebounds, and five assists.
Weber State shot 55 percent from the field, compared to 45 percent for Campbell. The 'Cats knocked down eight 3-pointers and held the Camels to 3 of 16 shooting from 3-point range. Both teams had 33 rebounds, and Weber State dished out 19 assists.
"We called it a culture game tonight, and that was a culture win," said WSU head coach Eric Duft. "I was proud of the guys that stepped in, and we had a lot of good performances. There were stretches when we were really good tonight, and we played well against a good team."
WSU played without sophomore Trevor Hennig, who missed the game with an injury.
The game was the first of the Junction City Jam tournament, the first preseason multi-team tournament WSU has held since 1991.
Campbell will take on UT Arlington on Friday at 1 p.m. in the second game of the tournament.
Weber State will host UT Arlington on Saturday at 7 p.m. in the final game.
Team Stats
Campb
Weber
FG%
.450
.548
3FG%
.188
.333
FT%
.903
.652
RB
33
33
TO
13
12
STL
8
7
Game Leaders
Players Mentioned
Weber State beats Campbell in Junction City Jam - 11/19/25
Thursday, November 20
MBB - vs. Campbell - 11/19/25
Thursday, November 20
Damian Lillard becomes the Weber State Basketball General Manager
Tuesday, August 05
Damian Lillard named Weber State Basketball General Manager
Monday, August 04












