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(Photo courtesy Weber State/Robert Casey)OGDEN -- The Weber State Wildcats (1-4) are back home in Ogden Wednesday hosting the Runnin' Utes of Utah (3-3), looking to break a seven-game losing streak against Utah.
Weber State is coming off a tough loss against BYU, were they lost by a season high 17. Looking at the scoreboard and reading the stat sheet won't paint the entire picture of that game. In fact, the Wildcats were in the game and had BYU on their heels early in the second half.
"It was a battle," said Weber State Head Coach Randy Rahe. "We came and we fought really hard."
The Wildcats had the lead several times in the second half, but were unable to close out the game.
"I was proud of our effort last Friday at BYU. We didn't hang our heads and give in when they jumped out in front quickly. We fought, scratched, and clawed our way back and it was a good effort. We need to keep that energy and bring it every game," said Rahe.
The Wildcats will be looking to keep that energy with the help of its bench. Franklin Sessions and Matt Washington were able to come up big for Rahe against BYU.
"I thought we got some good bench play," Rahe said. "I was really pleased with them."
Another bench player that is vital to the Wildcats is Darin Mahoney, who has been bothered by a calf injury, sat out against Western State and BYU and is still questionable for tonight's game.
"Right now we are down to an eight-man roster so everyone needs to be ready to play at any time and to practice that way," said Rahe.
Weber State will be playing against a very tall Utah team. The Utes have two center over seven feet tall; David Foster (7 feet 3 inches, 255 pounds) and Jason Washburn (7 feet 220 pounds). The center position isn't the only place where the Utes have height; they have three forwards over 6 feet 9 inches tall, and three guards over 6 feet 5 inches.
"When they come out onto the court, they look like an NBA team. They have great size up front and will present us with some difficult matchup problems on both ends of the court," said Rahe.
Other than the height differences these two teams look almost identical on paper. Weber State is shooting 41 percent from the field and Utah is shooting 42 percent.
Weber is shooting 28 percent from behind the three-point line and Utah is shooting 29 percent.
Weber is averaging 36 rebounds per game, Utah is averaging 35. Both teams are averaging 11 assists per game and shooting 76 percent from the free throw line.
Both teams have played and lost to the University of Seattle. Weber State lost by four, 91-87, at the Key Arena in Seattle. The Utes lost by three, 77-74, on their home court.
On paper this is going to be a very evenly matched game. Weber State will have to play big against the height of Utah, if they do, they might be the ones running away with the game.
Tip off is set for 7 p.m. at the Dee Events Center in Ogden.
