Weber State basketball: Lillard's career high lifts Wildcats past Griz

OGDEN — By his own estimation, Damian Lillard was not hitting enough shots in recent games to make a positive difference for Weber State. With a game against Montana on the horizon, he decided to do something about it.

Lillard rung in the New Year on Friday by practicing an assortment of shots and free throws in an effort to get his stroke down. His extra work paid off.

The sophomore point guard put together a brilliant one-man show. Lillard scored a career-high 30 points, collected seven rebounds and had five assists to boost the Wildcats to a 64-56 victory over Montana.

He provided a spark from the beginning by producing crucial baskets throughout the game to keep Weber State (9-6, 3-0) one step ahead of Montana (10-6, 1-3).

"Those shots made everybody know we had a chance," Lillard said. "Every shot that I made — it made everybody want to play defense and get another stop and keep pushing."

His baskets also rescued the Wildcats after they allowed the Grizzlies to rally from a 10-point halftime deficit and momentarily take control.

Montana opened the second half on an 18-7 spurt to surge ahead 41-40 at the 12:01 mark of the second half. Anthony Johnson found his touch in time to spark the Grizzlies' run. Johnson drained back-to-back jumpers and added a 3-pointer to bring the Grizzlies within two at 36-34. Jack McGillis then converted a three-point play to put Montana ahead a short time later.

The Grizzlies extended their lead to as much as eight, going up 50-42 when Will Cherry sank a pair of free throws with 8:24 remaining.

Lillard produced just the answer the Wildcats needed when he fueled much of a 11-0 run that put Weber State back in front — capping things off with a layup that put the Wildcats ahead 53-50 with 4:03 left.

Lillard made sure that the Wildcats stayed ahead for good when he buried a 3-pointer and then converted a layup to make it 59-54 with 39.9 seconds remaining.

"Time and time again, he hit the big shots when we needed it," Weber State coach Randy Rahe said. "That's the kind of player he is. When the game's on the line and something needs to happen, he's willing to go do it."

His teammates have definitely taken notice. Performances like this one validate to them all of the extra work Lillard quietly puts in to prepare for games.

"He just puts everything into his game," senior guard Nick Hansen said. "He's always in here getting extra shots. Just to play with a guy like that really helps us out."