Weber State Fades Against Utah After Strong Start
Dec 14, 2019, 4:10 PM | Updated: 11:49 pm
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Weber State men’s basketball team started the game strong against the Utah Utes in the first game of the Beehive Class before they faded away in the second half.
The Wildcats fell to the Utes 60-49 in the Beehive Classic at Vivint Smart Home Arena on Saturday, December 14.
Weber State jumped out to a 12-6 lead over the Utes to open the game at the home of the Utah Jazz. The Utes responded in the final minutes of the first half to take a 31-25 advantage at halftime. Utah outscored the Wildcats in the second half as well and held on for the 11 point win.
Final from Salt Lake City.
Utes beat the Wildcats 60-49. Jerrick Harding led the way with 17 points. #WeAreWeber #BigSkyMBB #PurpleReign pic.twitter.com/lCm4Z08q8p
— WeberStateMBB 🏀 (@WeberStateMBB) December 14, 2019
Both teams shot the ball poorly in the Saturday matinee. Utah held a slim advantage shooting 34.5 percent compared to 33.3 percent by the Wildcats. Each team shot below 23 percent from behind the arc.
The differences in the game were Utah’s defense, particularly on Wildcats star Jerrick Harding, and Weber State getting outrebounded by the Utes.
“Was that nice??”
Well yes indeed, it was. 😍
More @UtahMBB coming your way ➡️ https://t.co/QOJjy716us pic.twitter.com/uHN9zx5dON
— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) December 14, 2019
The Utes limited Harding to 17 points on 5-14 shooting including 1-5 from three-point range.
Weber State was outrebounded 47-34 in the game. The Wildcats gave up 17 offensive boards to the Utes. The second chance possessions proved to be too much for Weber State to overcome.
The Wildcats fell to 3-6 on the season with the loss. Utah improved to 8-2.