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Washington State stifles Weber State 94-60; Wildcats take 1st loss

By Brett Hein - | Dec 8, 2021
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Weber State forward Dillon Jones (2) drives past Washington State's Mouhamed Gueye (35) for a basket Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021, in Pullman, Wash.
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Weber State guard Seikou Sisoho Jawara (5) drives against the defense of Washington State's Noah Williams (24) on Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021, in Pullman, Wash.
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Weber State guard Koby McEwen dribbles the ball in a game at Washington State on Dec. 8, 2021, in Pullman, Wash.

The second-best undefeated start in Weber State men’s basketball history is now over.

Washington State used its stifling defense to keep offense inconsistent and difficult for Weber State, made 9 of 12 3-point attempts in the second half, and the Cougars defeated the Wildcats 94-60 late Wednesday night in Pullman, Washington.

“We ran into a buzzsaw,” Weber State head coach Randy Rahe said. “Their coach just told me that’s the best they’ve played … our kids fought really hard, kept fighting back, we’d get it close to single digits and then bang, bang, they hit a couple 3s.

“It’s one of those nights that happens sometimes on the road. Really good basketball team they have, and our guys, it wasn’t for lack of trying. That’s the best defensive team we’ll probably see all year.”

The Wildcats return home for four straight games with an 8-1 record. Washington State improves to 7-2 after breaking open the game late.

Weber State looked game early and led 13-12 midway through the first half on a drive from Dillon Jones.

Washington State went on a 10-0 run capped by a Mouhamed Gueye dunk, but Weber State answered with a run when JJ Overton slashed for a dunk and Jones picked up a three-point play to make it 26-23 with 3:01 left in the first half.

The Cougars finished the first half on a 9-1 run when Noah Williams flipped up a baseline circus shot just before the horn to take a 35-24 lead at halftime.

Washington State’s length and pressure wore on the Wildcats from there.

A Zahir Porter three-point play made it a 14-point game with 11:40 left, and Koby McEwen nailed a 3-pointer to make it 62-51 with 7:28 left.

The Cougars couldn’t be stopped after that. DJ Rodman made three 3-pointers in the final 7 minutes and Washington State scored 32 points in the final 7:28; the Wildcats ran out of gas and Washington State took advantage of every Weber miss and mistake.

“It’s a game we’re going to learn from,” Rahe said. “Play against high-level competition on their court. We can make this game help make us better, and we’ll do that. You need to see a game like this now and then.”

Williams led five double-figure Washington State scorers with 17 points. Gueye had 14 points and 10 rebounds, and Rodman and TJ Bamba each scored 14 points. Michael Flowers added 13 points and the Cougars finished 13 of 22 from the 3-point line.

Jones led Weber State with 16 points and seven rebounds. McEwen and Overton each scored 12 points, and Seikou Sisoho Jawara added 11 points.

Weber State next hosts Maine Fort Kent on Saturday before hosting Utah State, BYU and Fresno State in the Dee Events Center.

CSU 73, WSU 60

Daryn Hickok posted another double-double with 22 points and 11 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough as Weber State women’s basketball (3-5) fell at Colorado State (8-1).

The Wildcats outrebounded the Rams 43-32, including 12-7 offensively. Jadyn Matthews added six points, eight rebounds, four assists and two steals.

WSU returns home for a noon Saturday game against Tarleton State, which starts a doubleheader with the men who tip off at 2:30 p.m.

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