Ending the season 8–25 and 4–14 in conference play, the Weber State University women’s basketball team finished strong with a 62–53 win over the Portland State University Vikings in the first round of the 2024 Big Sky Conference Tournament. In the following round, they would have to take on the Eastern Washington University Eagles, in the Big Sky Conference regular season champions.
The game was a close battle, with the Eagles having a 47–46 lead at the start of the fourth quarter. However, Eastern Washington ultimately pulled away, winning 71–58. Despite the loss, things were looking up for the Wildcats, led by first-year head coach Jenteal Jackson, who previously served as the head coach for Westminster University’s women’s basketball team.
Unfortunately, the Wildcats will be losing many faces from the previous season, including the team’s two leading scorers, Daryn Hickock and Jadyn Matthews. Although the team only has five returning players, Jackson feels comfortable with the new faces.
Headed into the 2024-25 season, the Wildcats were picked to finish last in the conference, fueling Jackson and the team.
“We’ve talked throughout the year of the reality of when we were picked last. So there’s no target on our back. We get to be the underdog every single night, we get to go mix it up, and I think that’s exciting, being in that position having that identity of like ‘let’s go surprise everyone,’” Jackson said.
The team went 3–7 in non-conference play, with wins over Park University Gilbert, the University of Nevada, Reno, and Seattle University, along with some close losses to the University of San Diego, Utah Tech University, University of North Dakota and Utah Valley University.
The team opened conference play on Jan. 2, defeating the University of Northern Colorado Bears 66–52. Junior guard Lanae Billy scored 17 points, senior forward Rose Bubakar scored 16 and sophomore forward Taylor Smith scored 13.
