Jan. 31, 2008
Final Stats
Ogden, UT --- Weber State took advantage of their free throws late, scoring their final eight from the line, and Lucas Steijn's buzzer beater was just off the mark from 10-feet as the Wildcats held on for a 59-57 victory, moving them into first place in the Big Sky Conference. The two teams will rematch on Saturday night in Holt Arena.
Matt Stucki, who finished with a team-high 12 points, gave ISU a 55-53 lead at the 5:17 mark of the game, but neither team hit a field goal down the stretch. Austin Kilpatrick hit one of two to make it 56-63 at the 3:10 mark before Tyler Billings connected on two free throws to make it 56-55 with 1:48 left. Devlin Davis tied it at 56 with 127 left before Amorrow Morgan hit the first and missed the second with 1:00 even remaining, giving ISU a 57-56 lead. WSU however got to the foul line again with 38.7 left and Arturas Valeika, a .524 free throw shooter in league play, hit two (making him 4-for-4), and Weber led 58-57.
On the ensuing possession after a timeout, Morgan traveled, and ISU had to foul with 12.4 left. Kellen McCoy hit one, making it 59-57. ISU raced down court, and Donnie Carson got stripped, but the ball went right to Steijn, whose jumper was one line but too strong, giving WSU the win.
"This game is going to give us a lot of desire for the game on Saturday,"
The game was won by a major difference at the foul line, as Weber State went 23-for-29, compared to 7-for-12 for ISU. Idaho State made six more field goals and two more threes, but WSU hit their foul shots down the stretch (6-of-8 in the final two minutes).
Stucki led ISU with 12 points, and Austin Kilpatrick had 10. For the Wildcats, Waleika had a double-double of 13 points and 13 rebounds. McCoy added 12 and Dezmon Harris quietly chipped in an important 11 points. The Bengals, who shot .468 from the field and limited Weber State to .372 from the field, outrebounded Weber State 31-29, with Monroe's eight leading the way.
Now, the Bengals (8-13, 5-3 Big Sky) get to turn right around and host Weber State (11-9, 6-2 Big Sky) on Saturday night at Holt Arena, as all fans are asked to wear white.
NOTES: The loss was ISU's first this year when ISU outrebounded their opponent ... Donnie Carson had nine points in the first 8:26 of the game, but none after that ... ISU dropped to 4-1 in games decided by two points or less.
