Weber State Drops Close Contest With Eastern Washington

CHENEY, Washington – The Weber State Wildcats went on the road to Reese Court to take on the Eastern Washington Eagles on Saturday.

The Wildcats last game was an 8-point road win against the Idaho Vandals, 73-65. The Eagles last game was a convincing home win against the Idaho State Bengals, 81-68.

The Wildcats had a tough matchup ahead of them. The Eagles were undefeated at home, 8-0, heading into the game against Weber State.

First Half

Dillon Jones opened up scoring for the Wildcats with a driving layup.

All five starters scored for Eastern Washington early on. Steven Verplancken Jr. hit scored on two-straight possessions to keep the game close.

Junior Ballard made a three to drop the lead to 2.

.@Jrballard__ with the 3️⃣!#WeAreWeber pic.twitter.com/8E5hDGRqh7

— Weber State MBB 🏀 (@WeberStateMBB) January 28, 2023

Both teams went on to trade baskets with little defensive pressure for a good stretch of the first half. EWU maintained a multi-possession lead for much of the half.

Angelo Allegri was on fire for the Eagles all night. He led an efficient Eagles attack.

Just net! @AngeloAllegri_ scores a 3! 🔥#GoEags pic.twitter.com/7KfEBBZTau

— EWU MBB (@EWUMBB) January 28, 2023

Zahir Porter hit a three at the end of the first half to bring the Wildcats a little closer.

Z for 3️⃣ to end the half! #WeAreWeber pic.twitter.com/GFp5RgQzzP

— Weber State MBB 🏀 (@WeberStateMBB) January 28, 2023

The score was 32-27 at halftime.

Eastern Washington on top 32-27 at halftime.

Verplancken leads Weber State with 8 points.

— Weber State MBB 🏀 (@WeberStateMBB) January 28, 2023

Second Half

Weber State came out firing on all cylinders in the second half. They roared out of the break on a 9-0 run to take their first lead of the game.

Wildcats score the first nine points of the second half and lead 36-32! #WeAreWeber

— Weber State MBB 🏀 (@WeberStateMBB) January 28, 2023

Cedric Coward then made two-straight layups to tie the game at 36.

.@CedricCoward was not going to let that ball go! #GoEags pic.twitter.com/AqOYpTG3w9

— EWU MBB (@EWUMBB) January 28, 2023

Angelo Allegri then scored or assisted on 10-straight points for the Eagles.

Dillon Jones picked up his pace in the second half after only scoring 4 points in the first.

DJ 3️⃣!#WeAreWeber pic.twitter.com/ETFTzp9Vif

— Weber State MBB 🏀 (@WeberStateMBB) January 28, 2023

Junior Ballard got a 4-point play opportunity on the Wildcats next possession.

.@Jrballard__ 4️⃣-point play! #WeAreWeber pic.twitter.com/uOVofuUkkc

— Weber State MBB 🏀 (@WeberStateMBB) January 28, 2023

The final stretch was intense on Reese Court. Neither team held a lead larger than 6 in the final ten minutes.

Angelo Allegri continued to torch Weber State. He finished with 28 for the game on 10/12 shooting.

.@AngeloAllegri_ keeps those 3’s rolling! Allegri leads the team with 23 points!#GoEags pic.twitter.com/5xPRr25A9v

— EWU MBB (@EWUMBB) January 28, 2023

Steven Verplancken Jr. answered with a 3-pointer on the other end.

Big 3️⃣ for @Stevenv_jr to cut it to 67-65#WeAreWeber pic.twitter.com/HAJXXICxaV

— Weber State MBB 🏀 (@WeberStateMBB) January 28, 2023

The Wildcats offense had no struggles, but they couldn’t get a stop in the final minutes.

Close to the end of the game and @AngeloAllegri_ scores his sixth 3 with @ethaanprice assist! EWU and WSU are going head-to-head.#GoEags pic.twitter.com/ywsFXoau98

— EWU MBB (@EWUMBB) January 28, 2023

The Wildcats lose to the Eagles on the road, 75-71.

Wildcats drop a tough one 75-71 at league-leading Eastern Washington.

Dillon Jones – 18 points, 7 rebounds
Steven Verplancken – 16 points
Junior Ballard – 12 points #WeAreWeber pic.twitter.com/UFKzFXwBIT

— Weber State MBB 🏀 (@WeberStateMBB) January 29, 2023

Chandler Holt is a Digital Sports Producer for KSLSports.com, specializing in all things basketball and football. Follow Chandler on Twitter at @ChandlerHoltKSL.