Weber State Drops Close Contest With Eastern Washington
Jan 28, 2023, 5:37 PM | Updated: Jan 30, 2023, 1:19 pm
CHENEY, Washington – The Weber State Wildcats went on the road to Reese Court to take on the Eastern Washington Eagles on Saturday.
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The Wildcats last game was an 8-point road win against the Idaho Vandals, 73-65. The Eagles last game was a convincing home win against the Idaho State Bengals, 81-68.
The Wildcats had a tough matchup ahead of them. The Eagles were undefeated at home, 8-0, heading into the game against Weber State.
First Half
Dillon Jones opened up scoring for the Wildcats with a driving layup.
All five starters scored for Eastern Washington early on. Steven Verplancken Jr. hit scored on two-straight possessions to keep the game close.
Junior Ballard made a three to drop the lead to 2.
.@Jrballard__ with the 3️⃣!#WeAreWeber pic.twitter.com/8E5hDGRqh7
— Weber State MBB 🏀 (@WeberStateMBB) January 28, 2023
Both teams went on to trade baskets with little defensive pressure for a good stretch of the first half. EWU maintained a multi-possession lead for much of the half.
Angelo Allegri was on fire for the Eagles all night. He led an efficient Eagles attack.
Just net! @AngeloAllegri_ scores a 3! 🔥#GoEags pic.twitter.com/7KfEBBZTau
— EWU MBB (@EWUMBB) January 28, 2023
Zahir Porter hit a three at the end of the first half to bring the Wildcats a little closer.
Z for 3️⃣ to end the half! #WeAreWeber pic.twitter.com/GFp5RgQzzP
— Weber State MBB 🏀 (@WeberStateMBB) January 28, 2023
The score was 32-27 at halftime.
Eastern Washington on top 32-27 at halftime.
Verplancken leads Weber State with 8 points.
— Weber State MBB 🏀 (@WeberStateMBB) January 28, 2023
Second Half
Weber State came out firing on all cylinders in the second half. They roared out of the break on a 9-0 run to take their first lead of the game.
Wildcats score the first nine points of the second half and lead 36-32! #WeAreWeber
— Weber State MBB 🏀 (@WeberStateMBB) January 28, 2023
Cedric Coward then made two-straight layups to tie the game at 36.
.@CedricCoward was not going to let that ball go! #GoEags pic.twitter.com/AqOYpTG3w9
— EWU MBB (@EWUMBB) January 28, 2023
Angelo Allegri then scored or assisted on 10-straight points for the Eagles.
Dillon Jones picked up his pace in the second half after only scoring 4 points in the first.
DJ 3️⃣!#WeAreWeber pic.twitter.com/ETFTzp9Vif
— Weber State MBB 🏀 (@WeberStateMBB) January 28, 2023
Junior Ballard got a 4-point play opportunity on the Wildcats next possession.
.@Jrballard__ 4️⃣-point play! #WeAreWeber pic.twitter.com/uOVofuUkkc
— Weber State MBB 🏀 (@WeberStateMBB) January 28, 2023
The final stretch was intense on Reese Court. Neither team held a lead larger than 6 in the final ten minutes.
Angelo Allegri continued to torch Weber State. He finished with 28 for the game on 10/12 shooting.
.@AngeloAllegri_ keeps those 3’s rolling! Allegri leads the team with 23 points!#GoEags pic.twitter.com/5xPRr25A9v
— EWU MBB (@EWUMBB) January 28, 2023
Steven Verplancken Jr. answered with a 3-pointer on the other end.
Big 3️⃣ for @Stevenv_jr to cut it to 67-65#WeAreWeber pic.twitter.com/HAJXXICxaV
— Weber State MBB 🏀 (@WeberStateMBB) January 28, 2023
The Wildcats offense had no struggles, but they couldn’t get a stop in the final minutes.
Close to the end of the game and @AngeloAllegri_ scores his sixth 3 with @ethaanprice assist! EWU and WSU are going head-to-head.#GoEags pic.twitter.com/ywsFXoau98
— EWU MBB (@EWUMBB) January 28, 2023
The Wildcats lose to the Eagles on the road, 75-71.
Wildcats drop a tough one 75-71 at league-leading Eastern Washington.
Dillon Jones – 18 points, 7 rebounds
Steven Verplancken – 16 points
Junior Ballard – 12 points #WeAreWeber pic.twitter.com/UFKzFXwBIT— Weber State MBB 🏀 (@WeberStateMBB) January 29, 2023
Chandler Holt is a Digital Sports Producer for sports.ksl.com, specializing in all things basketball and football. Follow Chandler on Twitter at @ChandlerHoltKSL.
