Huge Scoring Run lifts Weber State past Prairie View A&M, 78-68

Huge Scoring Run lifts Weber State past Prairie View A&M, 78-68
Wildcats Make Good on a 43-18 Scoring Run

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – The Wildcats were down and a bit tired and had just committed their 21st turnover of the game when they found themselves down 50-35 with 14:33 left. But somewhere on the hallowed court at Pauley Pavilion, the Wildcats found new life and strength, picked themselves up and proceeded to put together a 43-18 scoring run to defeat Prairie View A&M 78-68 in the consolation game of the 2K Sports Classic benefitting Coaches vs. Cancer in the Los Angeles regional game.

The charge was led by senior forward DAVIIN DAVIS (6-4, 190). Davis, who did not take a first half shot and did not score, put up 13 second half points which included a perfect 6-6 from the free throw line in the final 39 seconds to ice the game away.

"This was a great win for these kids," said WSU head coach Randy Rahe. "We talked at half time about keeping our chin up, being positive and to come back out, take care of the ball and play better defense. When had those six turnovers in the first five minutes I obviously wasn’t very pleased and it looked like we didn’t have any energy. I can’t it explain what happened after, just that they stay positive, stayed together and played hard. When you do those things, good things usually happen and it did tonight."

The Wildcats, who had 21 turnovers in Wednesday night’s 70-66 loss to Miami (Ohio), committed 15 in the first half and found themselves down 36-29 despite shooting 11-20 (55%) from the field.

"You just can’t give the other team more chance, no matter how good you are shooting," said Rahe. "Turnovers are just a momentum killer."

After the six turnovers in the first five minutes of the second half, the Wildcats suddenly had a calm come over them and only had two more the rest of the game.

The Wildcats finally tied the game at 60-60 with 5:27 remaining on two free throws by guard KELLEN McCOY (5-6, 180 Sr.). The Panther then scored two unanswered basketball to go up by four, but DAVIIN DAVIS nailed a long three-pointer cutting the lead to one (65-64) with 3:38 remaining.

Weber State took the lead for good just over a minute later on a jumper by KYLE BULLINGER (6-6, 210 RsFr. Forward). BULLINGER gave the ‘Cats a 66-64 lead making one of two free throws at the 2:34 mark. Prairie View missed a three-pointer and a lay up on its next possession and DAVIIN DAVIS converted a lay up of his own to put the ‘Cats up by four, then BULLINGER made it a six-point game on a bucket with 1:02 remaining.

Prairie View’s Derek Johnson brought the Panthers back to with four on a long three with 32 second left making it 72-68, but that would be their last points as BULLINGER (2-2) and DAVIS (4-4) made six straight free throws to seal the deal.

The Wildcats shot 59 percent from the field in the second half while holding the Panthers to just 34 percent and 2-13 shooting from the three point line. NICK HANSEN (6-4, 185 Jr. Guard) led the Wildcats with 16 points. BULLINGER had 14, DAVIS 13 and McCOY added 12.

Weber State now takes a nine day rest before swinging back into action with a road trip on Saturday, November 22 when they return to Southern California for a meeting with the Long Beach State 49ers from the Big West Conference. Tip off for that game is set for 5:05 p.m. (MST). Weber State doesn’t play at home until Saturday, November 29 when they play Montana Tech at 7:05 p.m. (MST) in the Dee Events Center.