Weber State Earns Close Victory Against Sacramento State
Jan 21, 2023, 8:58 PM | Updated: Jan 23, 2023, 12:20 pm
OGDEN, Utah – The Weber State Wildcats took on the Sacramento State Hornets at home in the Dee Events Center on Saturday.
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Sacramento State lost their last game on the road to the Idaho State Bengals, 65-61. Weber State’s last game was an impressive win over the Portland State Vikings, 84-68.
Despite the negative record, the Wildcats have been tough to beat on their home floor. They have won 5 of their 7 home games.
First Half
The Wildcats came out strong in the opening minutes. The forced a couple missed shots and hit jumpers on the other end to gain an early lead.
.@HoopKingK gets things started with a 3️⃣!#WeAreWeber pic.twitter.com/AVF1tNbF0h
— Weber State MBB 🏀 (@WeberStateMBB) January 22, 2023
The Wildcats continued to build momentum after an early technical on the Hornets. In the first five minutes, the Wildcats made 4 of their first 6 shots and forced Sacramento State to shoot 1/8.
The Hornets went on a run of their own shortly after. They took their first lead with 8 minutes left in the half.
Weber State struggled to guard the Sacramento State big man Callum McRae. Standing at 7’1″ and 280 pounds, McRae had a size advantage regardless of who his matchup was.
The Wildcats tied that game at 19 in the final stretch of the first half.
DJ for 3️⃣!#WeAreWeber pic.twitter.com/ne20iKevzb
— Weber State MBB 🏀 (@WeberStateMBB) January 22, 2023
Both teams didn’t shoot well in the first half, 33% and 30%. The Hornets went into the break with the lead, 24-21, after forcing more turnovers.
Halftime at the Dee#WeAreWeber pic.twitter.com/cJS6KZKXr3
— Weber State MBB 🏀 (@WeberStateMBB) January 22, 2023
Second Half
After tying the game at 24, the Wildcat’s coach got a technical foul after disputing a call. The Hornets regained the lead as a result.
Both teams went on to trade baskets. Dillon Jones took the ball coast-to-coast an got an and-one for the Wildcats.
😤😤 @drizzydj23 #WeAreWeber https://t.co/2tvHYLbbbh pic.twitter.com/UgVHHzKEB0
— Weber State MBB 🏀 (@WeberStateMBB) January 22, 2023
Dyson Koehler and Dillon Jones were the leading scorers for Weber State. The leading scorer for Sacramento State, Zach Chappell, was held to 2/17 from the field for the game.
The Wildcat’s held respectable leads, up to 9-points, for much of the second half.
With 2 minutes remaining in regulation, the Hornets cut the lead down to three, 48-45.
A layup from Chappell has the Hornets within 3 points (48-45) of Weber State’s lead with 2:15 remaining. Wildcat ball after the timeout.
— Sacramento State Men’s Basketball (@SacHornetsMBB) January 22, 2023
McRae got to the free throw line with a minute left and lowered the lead to two.
After the Hornets tied the game at 48, the Wildcats came down and hit a layup with 6 seconds remaining. Dillon Jones made the play, his 18th point of the night.
Dillon Jones gives the ‘Cats the lead! #WeAreWeber pic.twitter.com/CPiTXrXvBH
— Weber State MBB 🏀 (@WeberStateMBB) January 22, 2023
Chappell’s last-second attempt rolled around the rim and out. Weber State wins, 50-48.
WILDCATS WIN! #WeAreWeber pic.twitter.com/6BPrlo5ouB
— Weber State MBB 🏀 (@WeberStateMBB) January 22, 2023
The win gave the Wildcat’s their first non-negative record since November 10th, 1-1.
Chandler Holt is a Digital Sports Producer for KSLSports.com, specializing in all things basketball and football. Follow Chandler on Twitter at @ChandlerHoltKSL.
