Weber State University’s women’s basketball team returned home for a quick 1-game stand against California State University, Sacramento, on Feb. 2, who had beaten them almost a month earlier, 60–39.
The Wildcats faced the Big Sky’s No. 2 defense, allowing 59.4 points per game. This presented a significant challenge for the ‘Cats, who ranked second-to-last in points per game with 63.2.
Hannah Robbins’ block and two steals and Antoniette Emma-Nnopu’s seven points helped them to a quick 12–0 lead.
“We needed that to get started and just keep the energy up,” said Robbins. “We hit some big shots. I think just having the confidence in each other to take those shots and to keep shooting and keep pressuring.”
Quick starts were something Head Coach Jenteal Jackson had pointed to as a reason for the team’s struggles.
The Hornets’ offense surfaced with eight points in the final six minutes of the first quarter, but the Wildcats took a 19–8 lead into the second.
Sac State opened the second on a 9–2 run to pull within four, 21–17. Jackson quickly called a timeout at 6:12, which put her team back in its first-quarter mode.
Robbins hit two 3-pointers and a jumper to finish the quarter, helping her team to 15 points to end the half. Meanwhile, the Hornets kept pace with 13 points. The Wildcats entered the half with a 36–30 lead.
Robbins’ 14 points and Emma-Nnopu’s 10 points led the team.
Paris Lauro came out on fire, scoring the Wildcats’ first 11 points of the second half. She nailed a jumper, followed by three straight 3-pointers. While the offense cooled off after that, they took a 56–49 lead into the final quarter.
The offense remained cold for much of the fourth quarter. The Wildcats’ five total points in the first eight minutes all came on free throws. The Hornets tied the game three times between the five- and two-minute marks.
“We had worked so hard those first 33 minutes,” Robbins said. “It was just a lot of talking about how we came this far, just stay composed. And it all starts on defense; when our defense is going well, then we’re able to put that into our offense.”
Lanae Billy hit the first Wildcat field goal on a 3-pointer to take a 64–61 lead with 2:05 left, which they rode with that strong defense, to a 72–64 win; their first conference win of the season.
“I’m so proud of the way they showed up tonight,” Jackson said. “When it goes that way the first half (of the season), it would be really easy to fold and just quit right now.”
Weber finished with four players in double figures in points: Emma-Nnopu with 19, Lauro with 17, Robbins with 16 and Billy with 12.
“I think all those kids are more than capable,” Jackson said. “So for them to be able to display that is just a breath of fresh air.”
Robbins also spoke of the team’s excitement in seeing multiple players carry the team at different points. “I think it just helped us support each other more. We’re jumping around, and we’re having fun; we play better basketball. It’s fun to celebrate each other; it’s fun to just have that confidence in yourself and know that teammates have that in you.”
