Big Sky Moving Day: Weber State dismantles Montana State, keeps pace with Northern Colorado

OGDEN -- A lot went right for Weber State in Ogden on Thursday night, as the Wildcats team many expected to see in the Big Sky this year was on full display.

Davion Berry scored 25 points on only eight field goal attempts to lead Weber State in an 86-57 dismantling of Montana State to move to 6-1 in conference play. In a game dedicated to his late Uncle Joe, who passed away earlier this week, Berry was 10-10 from the free throw line to pace Weber in the blowout.

The Wildcats were blistering hot from anywhere and everywhere, shooting 62.2% overall, 45.5% from behind the arc, and a clutch 20-24 performance from the free throw line (83.3%).

The ball was en feugo NBA Jam style for the Wildcats, who even got three-pointers from Joel Bolomboy (6-foot-9 forward) -- his first career attempt -- and freshman post-man Josh Fuller.

"We've been moving the ball great," said Berry about playing against the zone. "Guys have attacked gaps and are passing well. But we can't get ahead of ourselves and act like we've mastered the zone."

"Passing is contagious," said head coach Randy Rahe of Weber's season-high 23 assists on 28 field goals. "Someone makes a great pass and guys get excited for each other."

Weber started the game on a 21-5 run on hot shooting from Davion Berry, and Bobcats coach Brad Huse was forced to call a needed timeout even after a broken, disjointed play led to an Antonio Biglow floater to make it 21-7.

Montana State continued to battle, and a Calen Coleman three-pointer with 37 seconds left in the half to cut that early deficit in half, 35-28. But Davion Berry nailed a three at the buzzer, part of his 15-point first half, to make the halftime tally 38-28.

All starters were in double figures for the Wildcats, who got 13 from Jeremy Senglin, 12 each from Kyle Tresnak and Jordan Richardson, and 11 from Bolomboy.

Paul Egwuonwu led Montana State with 14 points in the post, and got 10 from Marcus Colbert. The Bobcats fell to 4-3 in conference play with the loss.

Weber State hosts rival Montana on Saturday, who has eliminated the Wildcats from the Big Sky Tournament in four-straight seasons (including in three finals). "We gotta get our juices flowing for Montana," Berry said.

NORTHERN COLORADO 87, NORTHERN ARIZONA 72

It was an equally drama-free night in Greeley, CO. The Northern Colorado Bears made another statement by blowing out the surging Northern Arizona Lumberjacks to improve to 6-1 in conference play, currently tied (with the tiebreaker) with Weber State.

The Bears forced Northern Arizona into 11 first-half turnovers, keying a 19-7 run to close the first half. A 23-22 lead became a 47-30 lead early in the second half when a Tim Huskisson three-pointer extended Northern Colorado's lead.

Northern Colorado shot well, as usual. Tate Unruh's 5-7 performance from three-point territory led the Bears in a shooting night that ended with a 59.3% clip on total field goals and 11-for-16 from three (68.8%).

NORTH DAKOTA 82, SACRAMENTO STATE 71

North Dakota used a strong first half to hold off the Sacramento State Hornets, drawing another line in the conference standings by moving UND to 4-3, while bumping the Hornets down to 2-5.

Troy Huff led North Dakota with 20 points on a 10-11 night from the free throw line, while Alonzo Traylor shot an efficient 7-8 to provide 17 points off the bench. Zach Mills provided 20 points for Sacramento State, who now faces a tougher road into the conference tournament.

BIG SKY STANDINGS