Weber State basketball: Vikings catch Wildcats on the rebound

OGDEN — Weber State, still smarting from its first Big Sky Conference men's basketball setback of the season, tries to get back on track Thursday night when the Wildcats take on Portland State.

The 'Cats dropped a 64-62 decision to Idaho State last Saturday at Pocatello, Idaho, and are now deadlocked for the league lead with Montana at 8-1. WSU saw its 10-game winning streak snapped against the Bengals, who dealt the Wildcats a disappointing defeat on a buzzer-beating 3-pointer.

"We are coming off a tough loss Saturday," said WSU coach Randy Rahe. "Now we have to move on and take on a very athletic and dangerous Portland State team. We have to be ready to play every night."

The Wildcats are 11-0 at home this season and will aim to extend that streak against a Portland State team that has only won once in 19 previous games in Ogden. The Wildcats already own an 88-81 victory over the Vikings earlier this season at Portland, Ore., where Weber State junior guard Damian Lillard poured in 38 points. on the strength of a career-best eight 3-pointers.

Lillard leads the country in scoring with an average of 24.4 points per game. Portland State's Charles Odum ranks second in the Big Sky in scoring behind Lillard with an average of 18.2 ppg. The Vikings' Chehales Tapscott, who scored 26 points against the Wildcats in their first meeting earlier this season, leads the league in rebounding with 9.1 per game.

Email: rhollis@desnews.com

Wildcats on the air

Portland State (10-11, 4-5 Big Sky) at Weber State (16-4, 8-1)

Today, 7 p.m. MT

Dee Events Center, Ogden

TV: none Radio: 1280 AM

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> LILLARD NOW SECOND IN SCHOOL HISTORY IN SCORING Junior Damian

> Lillard finished with 15 points in Saturday's loss at Idaho State,

> tied for the second fewest points he has had in a game this season.

> He finished the night 5-14 from the field, including 1-7 from three-

> point land. He also added four rebounds and four assists.

> In the process Lillard passed Jimmy Degraffenried (1991-96) and