Weber State pulled off a significant upset, defeating the Idaho Vandals 83-72, with Tijan Saine Jr. scoring 29 points to lead the Wildcats to victory. This win marked a 11-point margin, far exceeding the predicted 4.3-point margin in favor of Idaho. The Wildcats, now 13-13 on the season, capitalized on their strong first-half performance, scoring 44 points in the first period, while Idaho managed only 21 points. Idaho's Isaiah Brickner led the team with 18 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome the deficit.
Tijan Saine Jr.'s 29 Points Marked the Highest Individual Score of the Game
The game unfolded with Weber State dominating the first half, taking a 23-point lead into halftime, 44-21. Idaho attempted to mount a comeback in the second half, scoring 51 points, but the Wildcats held strong, scoring 39 points to secure the 83-72 victory. The Vandals' Brody Rowbury contributed 11 points and 5 rebounds, while Trevon Blassingame added 9 points, but the team's overall performance was hindered by their slow start. Weber State's Viljami Vartiainen scored 13 points, and Malek Gomma added 12 points and 6 rebounds, showcasing the team's balanced offense. The Wildcats' strong performance earned them a Quad 3 win, while Idaho suffered a Quad 4 loss.
Tijan Saine Jr. was the standout performer for Weber State, scoring 29 points to lead the team to victory. Isaiah Brickner led Idaho with 18 points, followed by Brody Rowbury's 11 points and 5 rebounds. Viljami Vartiainen and Malek Gomma also made significant contributions for the Wildcats, scoring 13 and 12 points, respectively. The top performers for both teams demonstrated their skills, with Saine Jr.'s 29 points being the highest individual score of the game. Idaho's Trevon Blassingame added 9 points, but the team's overall scoring was limited by their poor first-half performance, scoring only 21 points in the first period.
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Weber State's 44 points in the first half set the tone for the game, while Idaho's 51 points in the second half were not enough to overcome the deficit. The Wildcats' 83 total points marked a significant improvement over their season average, while Idaho's 72 points were below their average. The 11-point margin of victory for Weber State was a reflection of their strong team performance, with 3 players scoring in double figures. Idaho's 21 points in the first half were a season low, highlighting the team's struggles in the early going.
The CHD Scout prediction model incorrectly favored Idaho by 4.3 points, with a predicted score of 80-75. However, the actual result was a 11-point victory for Weber State, exposing a significant discrepancy between the predicted and actual outcomes. The model's error highlights the challenges of predicting college basketball games, where upsets can occur due to various factors, including team momentum and individual player performances. The actual score of 83-72 was far from the predicted outcome, demonstrating the unpredictability of the game.
This upset victory marked a significant Quad 3 win for the Weber State Wildcats, improving their NET ranking and tournament resume. Conversely, the Idaho Vandals suffered a Quad 4 loss, which could negatively impact their tournament chances. The game's outcome highlighted the importance of performing well in non-conference matchups, as both teams look to strengthen their resumes ahead of the tournament season. Weber State's current NET ranking of 205 could see an improvement following this win, while Idaho's ranking of 172 may be affected by the loss.
Weber State's next game is scheduled for February 15th against the Montana Grizzlies, while Idaho will face the Eastern Washington Eagles on February 17th. Both teams want to build on their current momentum, with Weber State seeking to continue their winning streak and Idaho aiming to bounce back from the upset loss. The upcoming games matters in determining the teams' tournament prospects, with each victory or defeat having a significant impact on their NET rankings and resume strength.