Weber State Lets Lead Slip Away In Loss To Eastern Washington
Jan 18, 2024, 9:17 PM | Updated: Jan 19, 2024, 1:27 pm
SALT LAKE CITY – The Weber State men’s basketball team watched an eight-point halftime lead disappear as the Wildcats fell at home to the Eastern Washington Eagles.
Weber State drops home game to EWU
The Wildcats hosted the Eagles at Dee Events Center in Ogden, Utah on Thursday, January 18.
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Weber State lost to Eastern Washington, 80-78.
Wildcats fall 80-78 to Eastern Washington. #WeAreWeber pic.twitter.com/2VJrV7RLys
— Weber State MBB 🏀 (@WeberStateMBB) January 19, 2024
The Eagles were the first team to get on the scoreboard and quickly took a 7-5 lead over the home team. With 16:25 to play until halftime, the Wildcats took a one-point lead on a three-pointer by Dyson Koehler. The triple gave the Wildcats an advantage on the scoreboard that lasted for more than 20 minutes of game time. Weber State built its lead over the remainder of the first half and took a 47-39 lead into the locker room at halftime.
DJ with the stepback 3!
'Cats up 13! #WeAreWeber pic.twitter.com/5WUZYHk5nB
— Weber State MBB 🏀 (@WeberStateMBB) January 19, 2024
Following the break, the Wildcats watched their lead slowly slip away.
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Eastern Washington immediately made a push to start the second half and regained the lead with 15:23 to go in the game.
The Wildcats trailed for about 10 minutes before taking the lead back with five minutes left to play.
However, over the final minutes of the contest, the Eagles outplayed the Wildcats by a couple of possessions. Weber State hit a shot with one second left to play to make it a one-score margin on the final box score.
Weber State ended the night shooting 45.6 percent overall and 35.5 percent from beyond the arc. Eastern Washington shot 53.8 percent from the field, including 42.9 percent on three-pointers.
Steven Verplanken led the Wildcats with 16 points on 5-12 field goals. Cedric Coward had 24 points and 10 rebounds for the Eagles.
Steven a 3 and the 'Cats take the lead! #WeAreWeber pic.twitter.com/OGGGeNgDNs
— Weber State MBB 🏀 (@WeberStateMBB) January 19, 2024
Up next for Weber State men’s basketball
With the loss, the Wildcats moved to an 11-7 record, including 2-3 in Big Sky Conference games.
Weber State’s next game is at home against the Idaho Vandals on Saturday, January 20 at 7 p.m. (MT). The game will be broadcast on ESPN+.
Kyle Ireland is a Sports Producer and Locals in the NFL Insider for KSLSports.com. Listen to Ireland on Yards After College: An NFL Podcast. Follow him on X (@kyleireland), Threads (@kyleirelandksl), and Instagram (@kyleirelandksl).
