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OGDEN — If Weber State ends up qualifying for the NCAA tournament this season, the Wildcats may point back to this past weekend as the one that pushed them over the top.
Weber State entered the weekend tied atop the Big Sky standings with Northern Colorado at 8-2, and the Wildcats did a clean sweep of both North Dakota and Northern Colorado at home to take a commanding three-game lead in the conference, with eight remaining Big Sky games.
After losing to Northern Colorado on the road earlier this season, and getting blown out in a 70-51 beat-down, the Wildcats returned the favor to the Bears in Ogden, earning a 79-65 victory. That win, coupled with a Northern Colorado loss on Thursday to Idaho State, has put Weber in the driver’s seat to host the conference tournament.
“I’m really proud of our guys,” said Wildcats coach Randy Rahe, who has led his team to at least 10 Big Sky wins for eight consecutive seasons — a conference record. “Northern Colorado has got a very good team, and (I) think they’re very extremely talented. I thought our second-half defense was the key to the game.”
In the earlier loss this season, Weber State struggled to shoot 3-point shots, making only four of 13 attempts. Also, the Wildcats were out-rebounded and allowed Bears forward Derrick Barden to score 21 points.
On Saturday, the script was flipped. This time, the Wildcats excelled behind the 3-point line, making 12 of 20 attempts. Also, Weber held Northern Colorado to just a 38.3 shooting percentage.
Wildcats guard Jordan Richardson, who finished the night with 14 points and four 3-pointers, said Weber picked up its focus and intensity in preparation for the game.
“We pride ourselves on getting jump shots,” he said, “19 assists on 24 (shot attempts) is great, and that’s how we build a big lead in the second half and in the first half. It worked out well for us tonight.”
Besides taking a commanding lead in the Big Sky Conference, the Wildcats also tied a conference record with 26 straight conference home victories.
Rahe said the record is a testament to the strength of the Weber State program.
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“It says a lot about our players; it says a lot about our fans,” he said of his team, which has won 48 of its last 49 Big Sky home games. “Our kids take a lot of pride in playing at Weber State. When they get here, we tell them, ‘It’s an honor and privilege to play here.” Not because I’m here, but because of what happened before I even got here.”
With the next four games on the road, Rahe said he is pleased with where his team currently is.
“I think we’ve caught up a little bit,” he said, referring to the rhythm the team is in now. “Over the last three or four weeks since we played (Northern Colorado) last, our team has continually gotten better. They’ve really focused on the things that we give them each week. … We’ve got a pretty good basketball team.”
