Weber State University’s men’s basketball beat Sacramento State 50–48 on a game-winning layup from forward Dillon Jones on Jan. 21 at the Dee Events Center. The win comes after the Wildcats blew out Portland State 84–68.

Weber State started this game on an 11–3 run shutting down the Hornets on the defensive end. Sacramento State quickly responded and came back to tie the game.

Both teams were locked in on the defensive side of the ball, ending the first half 24–21 for the Hornets.

Going into the second half, the Wildcats kept the game close with a lot of back-and-forth. Then they went on an 8–0 run to go up by 8 in the middle of the half.

With six minutes left, Weber couldn’t buy a bucket and allowed Sacramento State to tie the game at 48. With six seconds left, Jones got the go-ahead layup.

“I knew we weren’t making a lot of shots,” Jones said. “I just got the ball at the top and all week, we prepped in scout. I prepared and I knew they were going to be in deep drop. I knew their center didn’t want to come out in guard. I knew all night we were attacking, and I guess my instincts put the euro on. I just got him one way and went back the other because he hasn’t seen that tonight, and it worked, and it just went in.”

Offensively, Weber struggled as well, scoring 51 points in the first half against Portland and only scoring 50 points against Sacramento.

“That’s my favorite win of the year, to shoot 32% and play offense like we did tonight,” Weber State head coach Eric Duft said. “A lot of that has to do with Sac State. They’re extremely good defensively, but to have that offensive performance and still win is a testament to our team and how hard they play.”

Duft said Wildcat Dyson Koehler did a tremendous job guarding Hornet Zach Chappell, holding the guard to 6 points. Coach Dan Russell made the decision, believing Koehler’s size and strength would negate Chapell from scoring.

The Wildcats held Sacramento to their lowest-scoring game of the year and held Chappell to 2–17 from the field.

Jones said they had a great defensive game, with Sacramento State getting off their rhythm early. They never got in rhythm to make shots late in the game.

Weber State will play on the road this week, facing the University of Idaho on Jan. 26 at Kibbie Dome.