The Hive Sports

Article by: Gavin Nelson Photos by: Joe Oliver

The Weber State Wildcats fell to in-state rivals Utah Valley on Saturday, Dec. 21 with a score of 64-62. The Wildcats overcame their beginning of game demons, taking the early lead, however, the Wolverines came storming back led by sophomore center Carter Welling, who finished the first half with 17 points, including four threes. At the half, the Wolverines would have a 38-35 lead. 

The second half turned into more of a defensive slugfest, with both teams making changes on the defensive end. The Wolverines started to rely more on full court press and trap defense, while the Wildcats would switch junior forward Nigel Burris onto Welling to slow him down. 

“When [Welling’s] shooting it like that, you got to get somebody that can recover back to him off the ball screen coverage” said Weber State head coach Eric Duft after the game. 

That change would help the Wildcats, with Welling only scoring five more points the rest of the game. However, the Wildcat offense was not able to capitalize on the defense’s great play. 

Weber would go 2-11 from three in the second half, along with 5-10 from the line; including two missed free throws from senior guard Miguel Tomley, usually an 82% free throw shooter, after a technical against the Wolverines. 

The Wolverines would have a nine point lead with seven minutes remaining, but the Wildcats would storm back, making it a two point game with less than two minutes remaining. After a missed layup by UVU freshman guard Jackson Holcomb, Weber senior center Vasilije Vucinic would get the rebound with 40 seconds remaining. Wildcat senior guard Blaise Threatt would drive down the lane for the game tying layup but it would be blocked by Welling. 

The Wolverines would go down the court and attempt a three from sophomore guard Tanner Toolson but it would be offline, Welling would get the offensive rebound and would be fouled by Threatt on the way up. 

Welling would miss both free throws, giving the Wildcats the opportunity to either tie or win the game. Despite having a timeout, Duft decided not to use it, saying he liked the defense UVU was in and did not want to give them the opportunity to change it. 

After some miscommunication between Threatt and Tomley, Threatt would have to launch a prayer for the win, but the three point attempt would be no good, giving the Wolverines the in-state win. 

Welling would lead all players in points with 22, along with 6 rebounds. Nigel Burris would lead the Wildcats with 17 points and 10 rebounds, his first double-double as a Wildcat. 

The Wildcats will have the next week off for the holidays, but will be back in action heading to Eugene, Oregon to take on the 10th ranked Oregon Ducks. After that, they will open Big Sky Conference Play when they travel to Greeley, Colorado to take on the Northern Colorado Bears. 

Gavin Nelson is a staff writer for Weber State’s student newspaper, The Sign Post