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OGDEN — Coming down the stretch, there was an opponent with the ball and a 3-point shot from the left angle of the Dee Events Center — a scene Weber State fans have come to know well the last two years.
First, there was the shot that beat the Wildcats in overtime of the CIT championship; second, a shot to beat the Wildcats against Northern Arizona just two weeks ago. Friday night’s semifinal between Weber State and Northern Colorado appeared to be headed on the same track, until the streak was broken with a shot by the Bears’ Tate Unruh that hit the back iron long. With that, the Wildcats survived to make it to overtime and move to the Big Sky championship game with a 66-63 overtime win over Northern Colorado.
“That’s a tough team,” said Weber State coach Randy Rahe, referring to Northern Colorado. “They’re one of the top, most talented teams in our league, with veterans doing it. But I’m really proud of our guys; we showed a lot of resolve and a lot of grit.”
Both teams played cat-and-mouse in the first half, with the Wildcats taking a 27-24 lead at halftime, until Weber State opened up an 11-point lead with 9:46 left in regulation. From there, Northern Colorado went on an 18-7 run to finish the game out, setting up that scene at the end of regulation.
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Senior guard Jordan Richardson, who scored 13 points, said the team focused on late-in-the-clock defense and rebounding.
“We knew we just had to stay focused,” Richardson said. “Our motto is defensive rebounding, and we knew we were going to win the game by locking down the defensive end and rebounding the ball. They’re a great offensive team, so we knew if they missed shots, they were going to crash (the boards) offensively.”
Starting overtime, newly crowned Big Sky MVP Davion Berry set out on a mission, scoring the first five points on a jumper and a long 3-pointer to give the Wildcats a 60-55 lead. Northern Colorado clawed back to trail by one, 64-63, with Weber State then having the ball. At that moment, Berry went to the basket, scoring a running layup that gave the Wildcats a 66-63 lead. Again, Unruh took a late shot, and again it was long, sealing the win for the Wildcats.
Berry said his focus in overtime was to be a scorer.
“I’m the senior leader of the team,” said Berry, who finished with 15 points. “I’m a senior, so if we lose I go home; I’m not trying to go home. I’m trying to survive, and I knew I had to push through for my teammates.”
Now, the Wildcats prepare for a matchup with North Dakota — a team Rahe noted plays as well as any in the conference.
“North Dakota is playing absolutely outstanding basketball right now,” said Rahe, who has coached the Wildcats to five Big Sky championship game appearances. “They’re playing as good as they’ve played all year, I think. To me, it looks like they’re really playing well together; they’re really handling that ball well offensively.”
Richardson said the Wildcats are excited for the championship game.
“We’re ready (for tomorrow),” said Richardson, who is playing in his third consecutive Big Sky title game. “It’s time. The last two years in the championship game is a loss, so we know we have to come in focused; we know what to expect. We’ve been here before.”
NORTH DAKOTA 79, PORTLAND STATE 63 — North Dakota outscored Portland State 46-18 in the paint to advance to the first Big Sky championship game in program history. Aaron Huff scored 19 points and Troy Huff scored 18 points for North Dakota, who will face Weber State in the championship game Saturday at 6 p.m. at the Dee Events Center.
Portland State committed 18 turnovers in the loss. The Vikings were led by Gary Winston, who scored 14 points. North Dakota out-rebounded Portland State 41-29.
