Weber State Starts Big Sky Play 0-2 With Loss Against NAU
Jan 4, 2025, 5:31 PM | Updated: Jan 8, 2025, 9:58 am
Miguel Tomley in Weber State's win over Pepperdine in the Arizona Tip-Off. Photo courtesy of Weber State.
FLAGSTAFF, Arizona- The Weber State Wildcats have now lost four games in a row, including their first two in Big Sky Conference play, dropping to 6-10 on the year and finding themselves in a hole halfway through the season.
It was a game full of runs between the Wildcats and Lumberjacks. The two teams traded leads 15 times and were tied on nine different occasions. It was also a physical matchup that saw ejections on both sides early in the game, added to the intensity between these familiar squads.
It only came down to a single possession, but ultimately Northern Arizona came out on top by a final score of 80-77.
Final from Flagstaff. pic.twitter.com/29deaxWtoz
— Weber State Men’s Basketball (@WeberStateMBB) January 4, 2025
The first offensive spurt came from the Wildcats as they opened the game from the J. Lawrence Walkup Skydome on a 22-14 run.
However, things got chippy between the Wildcats and Lumberjacks when at the 11:36 mark, Carson Towt of Norther Arizona took exception to Blaise Threatt after a hard foul, giving him a shove that caused a skirmish and delayed the game for several minutes as the referees sorted out punishments.
When the dust settled, Carson Towt and a player from the bench were ejected for Northern Arizona, and Alex Tew was ejected for Weber State. Towt was not only the Lumberjack’s starting Center but also the nation’s leader in rebounds per game, leaving a vacancy in the middle for Northern Arizona.
Following the ejections, Northern Arizona stunned Weber State with a 12-0 run to take the lead and all the momentum. As the half was closing, the Wildcats and Lumberjacks traded scoring runs that gave each the lead, but Northern Arizona finished the half with a slight 41-38 edge.
With shortened benches due to the ejections, both teams dealt with foul trouble throughout the second half. Blaise Threatt ended the day just a foul short of disqualification and on the NAU side, Ali Ragab, who was playing extended minutes in Towt’s place, fouled out.
The Wildcats and Lumberjacks went blow for blow, trading the lead several times in the second half. With 2:19 remaining, Weber State held a two-point lead until Trent McLaughlin scored back-to-back buckets, the first a poster slam and the second a long three-pointer that gave NAU a three-point lead, propelling the Lumberjacks in the last two minutes.
SAY HIS NAME. TRENT. MCLAUGHLIN. @tmclaughlin2421 #RaiseTheFlag | #BigSkyMBB pic.twitter.com/QjZDYkvUk4
— NAU Men's Basketball (@NAUBasketball) January 4, 2025
Trent McLaughil was the fuel for Northern Arizona all game, scoring 30 points on 60% shooting, pouring in three three-pointers, and pulling down seven rebounds.
Weber State’s attack was more spread out with five different Wildcats scoring in double figures. Vasilije Vucinic took care of business down low with a very efficient 19 points and eight rebounds.
Weber State is now 1-7 on the road with their lone win coming in St. George against Utah Tech. The Wildcats have been on the wrong side of almost every close game they have played in this year with five losses coming by six points or less, and an overtime loss in Hawaii to the Rainbow Warriors.
Weber State’s inability to close out close games has cost them early in the 2024-24 season and has put them in a tough spot to open conference play. The Wildcats are the only Big Sky team that is having to open the conference schedule with three consecutive road games, two of which they have already dropped, with their last one before returning home coming next Saturday, January 11, against Idaho State. However, even when they do come home, they have to take on Montana, who scores the fourth most points per game of any team in the Big Sky, and Montana State, who have won their last two matchups against Weber State.
Weber State is last in the Big Sky in assists per game, and this has been a contributing factor to scoring droughts all season. The poor rotation is taking touches away from all but a handful of players, and the lack of ball movement is leading to low-quality shot selection.
Needless to say, the Wildcats have some kinks to work out, because conference play isn’t going to get any easier and is sure to be filled with more close games for Weber State.
Next For The Weber State Wildcats
Weber State will have a week off between now and their next game. The Wildcats will be in Pocatello to take on Idaho State on Saturday, January 11, at 6:00 p.m. MT.
