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STANDARD EXAMINER: ’Cats ambush BYU
This entry was posted on 12/14/2007 10:29 AM and is filed under Girls Youth Basketball, Girls Basketball News.
Below is an article reprinted from the
’Cats ambush BYU
Hunter’s 25 paces Weber State to win
OGDEN — Field Trip Day turned into Career Day for the Wildcats.
Riding the emotional energy of an in-state rivalry game and a boisterous crowd, the Weber State University women’s basketball team captured its fourth consecutive victory Wednesday afternoon.
Senior shooting guard Ahkiah Hunter drained a career high 25 points and sophomore guard Ali Thorderson added a career high 16 as the Wildcats defeated Brigham Young University 65-54 at the Dee Events Center. It was WSU’s first win over the Cougars since 1994.
“I think the key for us is being aggressive,” said Hunter, who hit 10-of-17 from the field, collected five rebounds and dished out three assists in 37 minutes. “Our team has great chemistry. We work well together and we’re getting better.
“Hitting the outside shot was what got me going, it opened things up so that I could drive to the basket.”
Weber State (5-3) also won the three elements of the game coach Carla Taylor felt would be critical: points in the paint (WSU 22, BYU 20), rebounding (33-29) and turnovers (12-20).
“It was a huge factor that we took care of the ball,” Taylor said. “We needed to be aggressive, especially in the paint. Our whole focus for this game was being aggressive defensively, BYU has a lot of weapons.”
Freshman center Karlee Weight, a Utah Valley native whom Taylor said was a “little fired up” to play BYU, also had a big day, notching eight rebounds and six points, including a pair of critical offensive rebounds and putback baskets late in the second half. Both were career highs for Weight.
“This is a very good win, its one that helps us with our confidence,” said Thorderson, who hit three 3-pointers and is averaging 11 points during Weber State’s four- win streak “The biggest thing I’ve done is relax. We’re all playing hard and having fun. The coaches have told me that I need to score so I’m trying to step up to that.”
Weber State jumped out to an early 5-0 lead — getting the crowd of 1,921 into the game from the start — and led nearly wire to wire.
“(Weber State) came out really aggressive and they played with a great deal of intensity,” said BYU coach Jeff Judkins, whose team fell to 4-6. “Carla does a great job of preparing her kids. We struggled passing the ball. I think part of this is that we don’t have a true point guard. We still have a long way to go.”
The Wildcats led 25-21 at halftime, but the Cougars surged out to a five-point lead on Mallary Carling’s 3-pointer with 13:11 remaining.
Taylor quickly called a timeout to stem BYU’s quickly-gaining momentum and Weber State erupted on a 26-10 scoring surge to take a 57-46 lead with just over four minutes to go. Hunter and Thorderson combined for 17 points during the surge, highlighted with a four-point play from Thorderson.
“It’s just a huge win for our team and for our program,” Taylor said. “There is no question the crowd made a difference. Our players haven’t had a chance to play in front of a crowd like that and you could feel the extra energy it brought.”
The Cougars rallied to cut the lead to 57-54, with the Wildcats closing out the win with eight straight free throws over the final 70 seconds.
Senior guard Sara Tuomi, who had a tough day from the field, hit 12-of-12 free throws to tie a Dee Events Center record. Sophomore point guard Tonya Schnibbe tied a careerhigh with six assists.
Weber State made 1 f-20 free throws, BYU just 4-of-6. The Wildcats also converted the Cougars’ 20 turnovers into 20 points.
BYU’s Mindy Nielson led the Cougars with 15 points. Carling, who is BYU’s leading scorer and dropped 32 points on the Wildcats last season in Provo, had just nine points.
Wednesday’s game was Weber State’s final home game of non-conference play, with the Wildcats taking to the road for four straight games before opening Big Sky play on Jan. 5 against Northern Colorado.
Weber State is now 4-0 in the Dee Events Center this season.
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