Weber State Earns Close Victory Against Sacramento State

OGDEN, Utah – The Weber State Wildcats took on the Sacramento State Hornets at home in the Dee Events Center on Saturday.

Sacramento State lost their last game on the road to the Idaho State Bengals, 65-61. Weber State’s last game was an impressive win over the Portland State Vikings, 84-68.

Despite the negative record, the Wildcats have been tough to beat on their home floor. They have won 5 of their 7 home games.

First Half

The Wildcats came out strong in the opening minutes. The forced a couple missed shots and hit jumpers on the other end to gain an early lead.

.@HoopKingK gets things started with a 3️⃣!#WeAreWeber pic.twitter.com/AVF1tNbF0h

— Weber State MBB 🏀 (@WeberStateMBB) January 22, 2023

The Wildcats continued to build momentum after an early technical on the Hornets. In the first five minutes, the Wildcats made 4 of their first 6 shots and forced Sacramento State to shoot 1/8.

The Hornets went on a run of their own shortly after. They took their first lead with 8 minutes left in the half.

Weber State struggled to guard the Sacramento State big man Callum McRae. Standing at 7’1″ and 280 pounds, McRae had a size advantage regardless of who his matchup was.

The Wildcats tied that game at 19 in the final stretch of the first half.

DJ for 3️⃣!#WeAreWeber pic.twitter.com/ne20iKevzb

— Weber State MBB 🏀 (@WeberStateMBB) January 22, 2023

Both teams didn’t shoot well in the first half, 33% and 30%. The Hornets went into the break with the lead, 24-21, after forcing more turnovers.

Halftime at the Dee#WeAreWeber pic.twitter.com/cJS6KZKXr3

— Weber State MBB 🏀 (@WeberStateMBB) January 22, 2023

Second Half

After tying the game at 24, the Wildcat’s coach got a technical foul after disputing a call. The Hornets regained the lead as a result.

Both teams went on to trade baskets. Dillon Jones took the ball coast-to-coast an got an and-one for the Wildcats.

😤😤 @drizzydj23 #WeAreWeber https://t.co/2tvHYLbbbh pic.twitter.com/UgVHHzKEB0

— Weber State MBB 🏀 (@WeberStateMBB) January 22, 2023

Dyson Koehler and Dillon Jones were the leading scorers for Weber State. The leading scorer for Sacramento State, Zach Chappell, was held to 2/17 from the field for the game.

The Wildcat’s held respectable leads, up to 9-points, for much of the second half.

With 2 minutes remaining in regulation, the Hornets cut the lead down to three, 48-45.

A layup from Chappell has the Hornets within 3 points (48-45) of Weber State’s lead with 2:15 remaining. Wildcat ball after the timeout.

— Sacramento State Men’s Basketball (@SacHornetsMBB) January 22, 2023

McRae got to the free throw line with a minute left and lowered the lead to two.

After the Hornets tied the game at 48, the Wildcats came down and hit a layup with 6 seconds remaining. Dillon Jones made the play, his 18th point of the night.

Dillon Jones gives the ‘Cats the lead! #WeAreWeber pic.twitter.com/CPiTXrXvBH

— Weber State MBB 🏀 (@WeberStateMBB) January 22, 2023

Chappell’s last-second attempt rolled around the rim and out. Weber State wins, 50-48.

WILDCATS WIN! #WeAreWeber pic.twitter.com/6BPrlo5ouB

— Weber State MBB 🏀 (@WeberStateMBB) January 22, 2023

The win gave the Wildcat’s their first non-negative record since November 10th, 1-1.

Chandler Holt is a Digital Sports Producer for sports.ksl.com, specializing in all things basketball and football. Follow Chandler on Twitter at @ChandlerHoltKSL.

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