by Zachary Knecht
Featured Image: Photo by Weber State Athletics
The struggle lingers for the Wildcats as Weber State drops yet another game on the season to the Idaho State Bengals 65-52. This offense continues to look lost, handicapping this team in seemingly every contest.
It is early in the season, but starting with an 0-3 conference record is giving the Wildcats a tall mountain to climb to stay in contention in the Big Sky.
Sputtering Offense
Despite what the score says, the ‘Cats had the lead with 7:47 left in this one, so the defense played competitively, but the offense can’t seem to find its footing. Lack of bench production plagued Weber State in their last contest, but it was the starters who couldn’t pull through Saturday.
Daryn Hickok was the shining light in this rotation with her 15-point, six-rebound performance, but the rest of the starters combined for only 17 points. Idaho State sports a tough defense, only allowing 54.6 PPG coming into the contest, so offensive struggles were expected, but the Wildcats need to find their rhythm.
The ‘Cats did shoot well from the free-throw line though, hitting 17 of 22 of their free chance. Notably, Vicky Parra put up eight points from the bench.
The Bengals’ night was quite a different tale on offense. Idaho State got no help from their bench, but the Cerberus of Laura Bello, Carsyn Boswell, and Callie Bourne carried this team on their back, Bello led the charge with 19 points, and Boswell and Bourne pieced together 18 points each. Bello and Bourne left with double-doubles with ten rebounds for the two.
Three-Point Travesty
The Wildcats couldn’t get anything going from beyond the three-point line, only hitting three of their 17 attempts (17.6%) compared to the 30.8% from their opponents. This lack of production was a major factor as to why the offense couldn’t get off the ground against the Bengals. This game was closer than the score indicates, so these empty possessions are debilitating for an already shaky offensive attack.
Rebounds, Rebounds, Rebounds
It’s seemingly talked about every game, but it’s something that continues to crush Weber State’s hopes of winning. The Bengals swooped up 47 rebounds on the night to the Wildcats’ 31, including 17 offensive rebounds. This was the difference-maker in the game. There were missed opportunities elsewhere, but these mishaps are why Weber State continues to fall. If only a couple of these rebounds are secured their way, we could be looking at a completely different game.
Saturday’s game concludes the road stretch for the Wildcats, so they will hope their home will treat them better as they face off against Montana Thursday night.
Stay up to date on the latest in Weber State Basketball here at The Hive Sports.
Box Score
| Weber State Starters | Minutes | FG | 3PT | Rebounds | Assists | Points |
| Daryn Hickok | 35 | 4-11 | 1-4 | 6 | 0 | 15 |
| Jadyn Matthews | 34 | 1-7 | 0-2 | 7 | 2 | 7 |
| Kaija Lesane | 23 | 1-6 | 0-1 | 4 | 2 | 4 |
| Laura Taylor | 30 | 1-3 | 1-3 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| Emma Torbert | 17 | 1-4 | 0-1 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Bench | ||||||
| Vicky Parra | 15 | 4-7 | 0-0 | 3 | 0 | 8 |
| Nakilah Johnson | 2 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Emri Lovell | 18 | 1-4 | 1-3 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Aaliyah Ellis | 11 | 1-8 | 0-3 | 2 | 0 | 5 |
| Ava Williams | 15 | 2-3 | 0-0 | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| Idaho State Starters | Minutes | FG | 3PT | Rebounds | Assists | Points |
| Laura Bello | 35 | 7-18 | 0-0 | 10 | 0 | 19 |
| Callie Bourne | 37 | 6-14 | 1-3 | 10 | 2 | 18 |
| Carsyn Boswell | 39 | 4-8 | 3-5 | 3 | 2 | 18 |
| Finley Garnett | 21 | 1-6 | 0-2 | 4 | 3 | 6 |
| Kacey Spink | 23 | 0-2 | 0-0 | 8 | 1 | 0 |
| Bench | ||||||
| Halle Wright | 4 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 3 | 0 | 2 |
| Martyna Kowalska | 2 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Mia Flor | 3 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bridee Burks | 7 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Cam Collman | 7 | 0-2 | 0-1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sydney Bevington | 1 | 0-1 | 0-0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sophia Covella | 21 | 0-3 | 0-2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |