FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (Interstat) — Weber State built a large first-half lead and never trailed, defeating Northern Arizona 78-65 in a Big Sky Conference men’s basketball game Thursday at Walkup Skydome. The Wildcats, who led 42-31 at halftime, were propelled by efficient shooting, making 13 3-pointers to the Lumberjacks’ six. Viljami Vartiainen and Tijan Saine each scored 16 points for Weber State. Nigel Burris added 11. Northern Arizona was led by Brennan Peterson with 15 points and Traivar Jackson with 16. The Lumberjacks struggled from beyond the arc, shooting 24%. Weber State improved to 8-8 overall. Northern Arizona fell to 6-10.

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (Interstat) — In a game defined by a blistering start and a dominant defensive performance, the Weber State Wildcats snapped a brief skid and handed the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks a critical home loss in Big Sky Conference play on Thursday night. Weber State seized control from the opening tip at Walkup Skydome, building a commanding double-digit lead in the first half and never truly letting Northern Arizona back into contention, securing a 78-65 victory. The Wildcats improved to 8-8 overall, while the Lumberjacks fell to 6-10. The most important stretch of the game came in its opening ten minutes, where Weber State established a template of efficiency that Northern Arizona could never match. The Wildcats opened the contest on a 17-4 run, fueled by precise outside shooting and disruptive defense. Viljami Vartiainen, the sophomore from Helsinki, Finland, set the tone early, hitting a layup and a three-pointer in the first 90 seconds. Weber State’s ball movement created open looks, and they capitalized, while Northern Arizona struggled with shot selection and ball security, committing two turnovers and missing several three-point attempts in the opening flurry. That early explosion allowed Weber State to play from ahead for the entirety of the contest. While Northern Arizona’s Traivar Jackson of Anchorage, Alaska, and Isaiah Shaw of Phoenix provided interior scoring to keep the margin from ballooning further, the Lumberjacks could not string together enough stops to mount a serious threat. The Wildcats took a 42-31 lead into halftime, having shot 46% from the field and a scorching 7-of-15 from three-point range. Northern Arizona, by contrast, managed just 6-of-22 from the floor in the first half. The second half saw Northern Arizona attempt to chip away, closing the gap to 11 points on several occasions behind the sharpshooting of guard Brennan Peterson of Scottsdale, Arizona, who hit three second-half three-pointers. Each time the Lumberjacks threatened, however, Weber State had an answer, usually from Vartiainen or guard Tijan Saine of Everett, Washington. A key sequence occurred with just over 16 minutes remaining when, after a Northern Arizona free throw cut the lead to 37-30, Saine immediately responded with a three-pointer on the ensuing possession to push the lead back to 10 and stifle the building momentum. Statistical disparities told the story of Weber State’s control. The Wildcats won the game from beyond the arc, making 13 three-pointers on 29 attempts, while Northern Arizona connected on just 6 of 25. Weber State also won the possession battle, committing only five turnovers against seven for the Lumberjacks, and turning those extra chances into a 7-2 advantage in points off turnovers. Despite an even 32-32 tally in points in the paint, Weber State’s ability to score from distance proved the decisive factor. Vartiainen led a balanced Weber State attack with 16 points, three assists and several key rebounds in 33 minutes. Saine added 15 points and four assists, while Nigel Burris of San Francisco contributed 11 points off the bench. Malek Gomma of Seattle provided a strong interior presence with 10 points. For Northern Arizona, Peterson led all scorers with 15 points, all coming on three-pointers. Jackson was a force inside, finishing with 16 points and nine rebounds, just shy of a double-double. Shaw added 11 points and two blocks, but the Lumberjacks’ offense often stalled, posting an offensive rating of just 101.4 points per 100 possessions compared to Weber State’s efficient 119.4. The game’s outcome defied the pregame analytics, as national rating systems had given Northern Arizona a nearly 64 percent probability to win at home. Weber State, however, entered as a narrow 1.5-point favorite on the betting line and covered with ease. The combined score of 143 points fell well under the posted over/under of 148.5, underscoring the defensive struggles of the home team. The victory gives Weber State momentum as they continue a conference road swing, heading to Greeley to face Northern Colorado on Saturday. Northern Arizona looks to regroup quickly, as they remain at home to host Idaho State, also on Saturday. The two teams are scheduled to meet again in Ogden on Feb. 7.

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (Interstat) — Two teams seeking momentum in the Big Sky Conference will meet Thursday when the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks host the Weber State Wildcats. The game at Walkup Skydome pits teams with nearly identical records. Weber State enters at 7-8 overall, while Northern Arizona sits at 6-9. Both are looking to build on sporadic non-conference performances as league play intensifies. The Wildcats are coming off a 95-82 home victory over Sacramento State on Saturday. Weber State’s offense was fueled by a balanced attack, with Viljami Vartiainen and Tijan Saine each scoring 20 points. Vartiainen, a key player to watch, is averaging 15 points over his last two games, including a 20-point effort in the win over the Hornets. Northern Arizona looks to snap a two-game skid after road losses at Montana and Montana State to open January. In the 77-68 loss to the Bobcats, guard Isaiah Shaw provided a bright spot with a season-high 18 points. Shaw’s scoring punch will be vital for a Lumberjacks offense that has struggled at times against higher-caliber competition. Recent history shows both teams have been inconsistent. Weber State’s results include a mix of blowout wins and narrow defeats, such as an overtime loss to Portland State and a two-point loss to Utah Tech. Northern Arizona has shown a similar pattern, with a 52-point win over Benedictine Mesa but double-digit losses to foes like Arizona State and Incarnate Word. The matchup begins a critical January stretch for both squads. Weber State continues its road trip at Northern Colorado on Saturday. Northern Arizona remains at home to face Idaho State on Saturday. Thursday’s tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. MST at the Walkup Skydome.