The day after a loss by the men’s basketball team, Weber State University’s women’s basketball team ended their season losing their first game of the Big Sky Tournament on March 10 to the Idaho State University Bengals by a score of 62–42.

The Wildcats struggled on offense throughout the game. At the start of the game, they had four turnovers before their first shot attempt and they finished the game with 18 turnovers and shot 22% from the field.

“They were very physical with us — disruptive — they were trying to blow up the plays, but we weren’t our best with our movements and our offensive efficiency,” head coach Jenteal Jackson said after the game.

Junior guard Lanae Billy led the Wildcats in scoring with 16 points, which included hitting four 3-pointers. Sophomore forward Taylor Smith, a native of Pocatello, Idaho, had previously excelled against her hometown team this season, scoring 19 and 24, respectively, in the Wildcats’ two overtime victories against the Bengals. However, she struggled in the game on March 10, scoring 2 points and going 0–11 from the field.

“This does not feel great right now, but I don’t want to take away from what we accomplished this year,” Jackson said.

Despite the loss, much can be said about the jump the Wildcats made this past season. After being picked to finish last in the conference before the season, the Wildcats finished fourth after the regular season, their best finish since 2007. Barring any transfers, the Wildcats will have key contributors Smith, Billy and junior forward Antoinette Emma-Nnopu returning next season.

However, the Wildcats will lose their second-leading scorer, senior guard Kendra Parra, who played her final college basketball game.

“All the community around and the people who work at Weber, the coaching staff, the players, it’s all been so nice and great,” Wildcat senior guard Kendra Parra said.

Parra finished her senior season averaging 12.1 points, 3.6 rebounds and 3.1 assists, shooting 37.2% from the field.

The Wildcats finished the season 13–16, their highest win total since 2018. The team improved from an 8–25 record from Jackson’s first year at Weber.