Weber State Basketball Season Comes To An End At Hands Of Northern Colorado Bears
Mar 9, 2025, 8:33 PM
(Photo courtesy of Weber State Athletics)
(Photo courtesy of Weber State Athletics)
BOISE, Idaho – Weber State basketball had its season ended at the hands of the Northern Colorado Bears in the second round of the Big Sky Championship on Sunday.
The Wildcats succumbed to an early deficit and were never really able to recover. Weber State lost the rebounding battle and was also basically shot out of the gym, making under 35 percent of their shots compared to over 55 percent from Northern Colorado.
Only three players reached double figures for both sides. However, the Bears’ leading scorer was Isaiah Hawthorne with 29 compared to Blaise Threatt with 12 for the Wildcats.
Weber State’s season comes to an end in the second round of the Big Sky Championship with a loss to the top team in the Big Sky.
Bears in Dominant Fashion 👀#ExperienceElevated pic.twitter.com/SV8zZ50gcL
— Big Sky Conference (@BigSkyConf) March 10, 2025
First Half
As the No. 1 seed facing the 9-seed, the game started as many would expect.
Northern Colorado jumped out to a 7-0 lead and then extended that run to 17-2 through the first six minutes.
Similar to the Wildcats’ last game, Blaise Threatt and Viljami Vartiainen served as the main offensive creators. However, against the Bears, they were the only creators.
The guard duo scored all nine of Weber State’s points in the first nine minutes.
there’s @blochzach1… BANG 💥@UNC_BearsMBB out and runnin’ early #ExperienceElevated pic.twitter.com/RndBtnwU3W
— Big Sky Conference (@BigSkyConf) March 9, 2025
The ‘Cats showed some signs of life over the next small stretch, outscoring Northern Colorado over three minutes to cut the lead to single digits.
But then the Bears took off again.
They took their largest lead of the game, 16, with 90 seconds left in the half and then extended it further to 20 heading into the break.
rise & fire @ThereGoZaytoven 🔥#ExperienceElevated pic.twitter.com/8bkhtZ18Uj
— Big Sky Conference (@BigSkyConf) March 10, 2025
Second Half
The second half was considerably more competitive but the jump was too little, too late.
Weber State kept in nearly even with the Bears over the next 20 but the first-half deficit still loomed overhead.
Threatt and Vartiainen remained the most aggressive shooters. Trevor Hennig emerged as another top scorer for the ‘Cats as he was able to draw fouls and take multiple trips to the charity stripe.
it’s. all. Bears.
have a ballgame @ThereGoZaytoven #ExperienceElevated pic.twitter.com/prI037vsLc
— Big Sky Conference (@BigSkyConf) March 10, 2025
Hawthorne was a man on a mission in the Bears’ tournament opener. He finished with 29 points on 70 percent shooting.
Despite Weber States countless advances, the Bears were able to win the second half as well.
Threatt, Vartiainen, and Vasilije Vucinic were the only Wildcats to reach double figures. All three barely eclipsed that marl with 12, 10, and 10 points respectively.
With the 76-52 win, the Northern Colorado Bears will advance in the tournament and face off against the winner of Idaho State and Montana State.
Big Sky Basketball’s Starch Madness
The 2025 Big Sky Basketball Championships take place from March 8 to 12 at Idaho Central Arena in Boise, Idaho, with the winner receiving an automatic ticket to the NCAA Tournament.
The tournament consists of four rounds leading up to the championship game which will be played on Wednesday, March 12, at 9:30 p.m. (MT).
