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ST. GEORGE — Seikou Sisoho Jawara poured in a season-high 23 points in Weber State's 87-70 commanding win over Dixie State to continue the Wildcats' hot start to the 2021-22 season as the team improved to a perfect 6-0.
Sisoho Jawara shot 10 of 16 from the field, including 3 of 6 from 3-point range, and added two rebounds, three assists, three steals and a block to lead the Wildcats.
Koby McEwen added 17 points and four rebounds as JJ Overton and Zahir Porter both had 14 points, with Overton adding a game-high three steals; and Cody Carlson had 10 points and five rebounds for the Wildcats, who saw five players in double-figures for the third time this season.
Coming into the game, Weber State ranked sixth in the nation in field goal percentage at 53.3% and had shot over 50% in three of the first five games of the season. Against the Trailblazers, the Wildcats shot 56.7% from the field and 45% from 3-point range, draining 9 of 20 3-point attempts.
Dancell Leter led the Trailblazers with 17 points on 7-of-9 shooting, and added a team-high eight rebounds and two steals. Hunter Schofield had 11 points and six rebounds; but Dixie State's 18 turnovers would be too much for them to overcome.
Weber State took advantage of all 18 turnovers forced, converting them into 25 points. The Wildcats also had double-digit turnovers with 12, but the Trailblazers were only able to convert those into 10 points.
After trading baskets for a majority of the first half, Dixie State took a 2-point lead to go up 35-33 from a made layup by Leter with 4:16 remaining in the half.
Overton followed the layup and tied the game again with a mid-range pullup on the baseline for the Wildcats that would spark an 8-0 run to close the half, which included a free throw from Overton, and a 3-pointer and a scooping right-handed layup as the clock expired by McEwen.
The Trailblazers were held scoreless for the last four minutes of the half, and the Wildcats took a 41-35 lead into the break.
It wasn't until midway in the second half when the Wildcats had a stretch where they made 10-of-11 shots and started to pul away from the lingering Trailblazers, who fall to 1-5 on the season with their lone win coming against the preseason Big Sky Conference favorites, Southern Utah.
Dixie State outrebounded Weber State 34-30, which included 10 offensive rebounds that led to 11 second-chance points. They also had four more shot attempts and four more assists, but the length and defensive pressure of the Wildcats allowed them to put easy points on the board and escape with their sixth straight win.
After being on the road for five straight games, the Wildcats will be back home Thursday and Saturday, as they will welcome Northern Arizona and Portland State for two early Big Sky Conference games.
