With five players scoring double digits, Weber State University’s men’s basketball team scored an 84–74 win on Jan. 13 against the University of Idaho.
The Wildcats have tried to fill the center role all season long, and according to Coach Rahe, they’ve found an answer in senior Dontay Bassett. With three big men out, Bassett started, delivering three rebounds, two assists and two blocks. During a press conference, Rahe said the senior will start next game as well.
“He deserved to start tonight,” Rahe said. “I liked what he did defensively, just being big, just taking up space. He took two charges. He’s a tough kid.”
One of Bassett’s assists was to guard Seikou Sisoho Jawara, who started the game draining a 3-pointer. Idaho guard Mikey Dixon responded with a 3 of his own to put the Vandals up by one.
Weber State took the lead back two minutes later when forward Cody Carlson threw a commanding one-handed slam off an assist from guard Kobe McEwen. McEwen drained a 3-pointer off an assist from Bassett at the 11-minute mark, putting some distance between the Wildcats and the Vandals.
After a dramatic last-second layup by McEwen, Weber State led Idaho 38–27 at the half.
Coming into the second, the Wildcats looked to add to their comfortable lead. A jumper from Sisoho Jawara and a fast break layup from McEwen started the half.
To close the gap, Dixon scored 15 points in the second half for the Vandals, going two for four from the three. After being up by 14 at the four-minute mark, the Wildcats were down to an eight-point lead with two minutes on the clock.
“We let up,” Rahe said. “We thought the game was over. We took our foot off the gas. It was so glaring to see.”
Despite the Vandal’s attempts, Sisoho Jawara and forward JJ Overton were able to pick up Weber State’s slack on the offensive side. In the last two minutes of the game, both players combined for six points. Sisoho Jawara and Overton finished the night with 18 points each.
“It doesn’t matter who scores,” Overton said. “As long as it’s a good shot, we’re all happy with it. I think we’re getting better day by day, game by game. And I think we’re ready to tear up our league.”
McEwen dribbled the ball around half court to close out the game, marking the Wildcat’s first home win in over a month.
“Offensively, I liked how we played,” Rahe said. “We missed some easy shots that I thought we would normally make, but I really liked how we moved the ball.”
Weber State’s next two games are against the Idaho State Bengals on Jan. 17 in Pocatello, Idaho, and Jan. 20 at the Dee Events Center at 7:00 p.m.
