Weber State dominated Eastern Washington at the Dee Events Center, securing a 91-80 victory behind a strong performance from Tijan Saine Jr. The Wildcats' guard scored 23 points and dished out 5 assists, leading his team to a decisive win. Weber State's Edwin Suarez Jr. also made a significant contribution, scoring 18 points, while Viljami Vartiainen added 14 points and 6 rebounds.
The game got off to a fast-paced start, with Eastern Washington keeping pace with Weber State in the first half. The Eagles trailed by just 2 points at halftime, 42-44. However, Weber State pulled away in the second half, outscoring Eastern Washington 49-36. Kiree Huie led the Eagles with 21 points and 7 rebounds, and Isaiah Moses chipped in with 20 points and 5 rebounds, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Wildcats' balanced attack.
Weber State's victory was fueled by their ability to score from both inside and outside the paint. The Wildcats shot efficiently, and their bench provided a significant boost, outscoring Eastern Washington's reserves. The win improves Weber State's record to 10-11, while Eastern Washington falls to 5-15.
The loss is a setback for Eastern Washington, but the Eagles can take comfort in the fact that they were competitive against a stronger opponent. Huie's performance was a highlight, and he showed why he's one of the team's top players. Tyler Powell also had a solid game, scoring 17 points for the Eagles.
For Weber State, the win is a Quadrant 4 victory, which may not carry significant weight in terms of NCAA tournament resume-building. However, it's still an important win for a team looking to build momentum and confidence. The Wildcats' current net ranking of 194 suggests they have work to do to become a serious tournament contender, but they're moving in the right direction.
In terms of tournament implications, this result doesn't significantly impact either team's chances. Eastern Washington's loss was expected, given their lower net ranking and weaker record. The Eagles' current net ranking of 250 makes it an uphill climb to become a tournament contender. For Weber State, the win helps to pad their record, but they'll need to secure more impressive victories to boost their tournament resume. As it stands, the Wildcats' Quadrant 4 win over Eastern Washington is a solid, if not spectacular, addition to their portfolio.