WEBER STATE WILDCATS

Weber State Sweeps Weekend To Open Big Sky Play

Dec 31, 2022, 4:26 PM

Steven-Verplancken-Jr-Weber-State-Wildcats...

Weber State guard Steven Verplancken Jr. (Courtesy of Robert Casey / Weber State Athletics)

(Courtesy of Robert Casey / Weber State Athletics)

OGDEN, Utah – The Weber State men’s basketball team swept the opening weekend of Big Sky play after a 76-60 win over Northern Arizona on Saturday.

Weber State was in control for most of the game after outscoring Northern Arizona 37-30 in the first half and 39-30 in the second half.

Junior Ballard led the Wildcats with 16 points off the bench, including 4-of-6 shooting from the three-point line. Steven Verplancken Jr. chipped in 14 points. Although Ballard and Verplancken Jr. were the only Weber State players to reach double figures, Dillon Jones dropped nine points, 15 rebounds, and six assists.

Alex Tew recorded nine points and seven rebounds. Zahir Porter added nine points off the bench.

Weber State shot 58% from the field, 31% from the three-point line, and 13-of-16 at the free-throw line. The Wildcats edged out the Lumberjacks on the boards 29-26 and committed 13 turnovers compared to NAU’s 16 miscues.

For Northern Arizona, Jalen Cone led the way with 16 points and six rebounds. Nik Mains finished with 10 points and eight rebounds. Trenton McLaughlin posted nine points off the bench. Former Olympus star Jack Wistrcill had five points, one rebound, one assist, and one steal in 13 minutes on the floor.

As a team, Northern Arizona shot 42% from the field, 45% from beyond the arc, and attempted just seven free throws, making five of them.

Weber State Returns Home In One Week In Search For Third Straight Win

The Wildcats improved its record to 7-8 overall and 2-0 in conference play. They have wins over Western Colorado, Abilene Christian, Saint Martin’s, Cal Poly, Utah State, Northern Colorado, and Northern Arizona. Weber State has losses against Washington, Colorado State, UC Riverside, Wright State, Tarleton State, Utah Tech, California Baptist, and BYU.

The Wildcats will return to the Dee Events Center on Saturday, January 7 to face Idaho State at 7:00 p.m. MT on ESPN+ and 103.1 FM “The Wave.” Then Weber State will hit the road for a trip to Montana on Thursday, January 12, and Montana State on Saturday, January 14.

Weber State Wildcats

Jonah-Williams-Los-Angeles-Rams-NFL...

Kyle Ireland

Former Weber State DE Jonah Williams Signs With Minnesota Vikings

Former Weber State defensive lineman Jonah Williams signed a free agent deal with the Minnesota Vikings after three years with the L.A. Rams.

1 month ago

Taron-Johnson-Buffalo-Bills-NFL...

Kyle Ireland

CB Taron Johnson Signs Record Deal With Buffalo Bills

Former Weber State standout Taron Johnson signed a record three-year extension to remain with the Buffalo Bills through the 2027 season.

1 month ago

Sua-Opeta-Philadelphia-Eagles-NFL...

Kyle Ireland

Sua Opeta Signs With Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Former Weber State offensive lineman and NFL free agent Sua Opeta agreed to a deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

1 month ago

Weber-State-Wildcats-Montana-State-Bobcats-Big-Sky-Tournament...

Kyle Ireland

Weber State Eliminated From Big Sky Tourney With Loss To Montana St.

Weber State allowed Montana State to score 66 points in the second half and was eliminated from the Big Sky Conference Tournament.

1 month ago

Dillon-Jones-Weber-State-Wildcats-Mens-Basketball...

Brian Preece

Weber State Senior Named Big Sky MVP, Unanimous First-Team Selection

Weber State senior Dillon Jones has earned Big Sky Most Valuable Player recognition and a unanimous first-team all-conference selection.

2 months ago

Weber-State-Mens-Basketball-Montana-State...

Kyle Ireland

Weber State Closes Out Regular Season With Loss To Montana State

The Weber State men’s basketball team suffered a loss to the Montana State Bobcats in the Wildcats' regular season finale.

2 months ago

Sponsored Articles

ksl-sports-newsletter...

KSL Sports

KSL Sports Newsletter: Sign Up Now

Sign up today for the KSL Sports newsletter. Get the latest Utah sports news delivered to your inbox.

...

KSL Sports

Jazz Notes Newsletter: Sign Up Now

Sign up today for the Jazz Notes newsletter. Get insider analysis, game recaps and opportunities to win tickets!

Follow @kslsports...

The Road Home Mediathon 2023

The KSL Sports Zone and KSLSports.com are proud to support the all-day Mediathon 2023 at the Road Home, an annual tradition to raise money and other essential items for the Road Home, a Homeless Shelter.

3 kids wearing real salt lake jerseys smiling...

Real Salt Lake

6 Reasons You Need to Experience a RSL Matchday

RSL Games are a great way to spend time with your family with fun activities, good food, and traditions you can only experience at the field.

High angle view of the beautiful Rose Bowl Stadium...

KSL Digital Sales

How to Prepare for the 2023 Rose Bowl

Everything you need to know to plan your 2023 Rose Bowl trip in Pasadena, California. This year, the Utes will face Penn State.

Jordan-Clarkson-Utah-Jazz...

KSL Digital Sales

Notable Moments From The Utah Jazz Season… So Far

At the beginning of the season, the Utah Jazz were second to last. Now they rank in the top 10 teams in the Western Conference.

Weber State Sweeps Weekend To Open Big Sky Play