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Ogden • There hasn't been much time to judge Weber State in the post-Damian Lillard era. However, going by recent results, the Wildcats look to be just fine, thank you.
After dropping a pair of close road games, WSU staged a come-from-behind victory at Dayton. On Wednesday, Weber State reveled in its versatility and athleticism during an 89-56 pounding of Utah Valley in the Dee Events Center for its 19th straight home victory.
The Wolverines (4-6), also coming off a big win, against Pepperdine, stayed relatively close in the opening half despite a 19-2 WSU run. The second half was all Wildcats, who scored 25 points off of turnovers.
"We're excited about what we're starting to become," WSU coach Randy Rahe said. "We've got some speed. We can really get that ball downcourt."
Post Kyle Tresnak, wing Scott Bamforth and forward Frank Otis had season-high point totals. Meanwhile true freshman Joel Bolomboy, a 6-foot-9 forward, also finished in double figures with several splashy dunks.
"He has such a chance to have an impact," Rahe said.
Defensively, WSU (3-2) pressured the Wolverines into mistakes. UVU was outscored by 22 in the second half, 28 of its second-half points coming inside in the paint.
Weber State also forced UVU into contested shots, and usually only one per trip as the Wolverines shot 27 percent in the second half.
Nick Thompson and Holton Hunsaker combined for 24 points to lead UVU.
"That might be best team in the state," UVU coach Dick Hunsaker said. "I know Utah State beat them, but that's a very good Weber State team. They've got balance, they've got athleticism. They've got some size they know their roles and they're on the attack."
Rahe varied his lineups, at times playing big or small, to force UVU to respond. Also, six Weber State players had two or more assists, including Jordan Richardson with five.
"We play within the system, and the system we run gets a lot of guys open looks," said Tresnak, who finished with 20 points, nine rebounds and three blocks.
Also, WSU's constant defensive pressure translated into offense.
"We feel like our new defensive philosophy has helped us be able to play different ways, different speeds," Bamforth said. "We knew it would take time to get our [offensive] rhythm."
Twitter: @tribmarty —
Highlights
R Weber State begins the second half with a 17-8 run to open a 20-point lead.
• Kyle Tresnak leads Weber State with 20 points, nine rebounds and three blocks.
• Weber State scores 25 points off of turnovers, while nearly doubling UVU's points in the key. —
Weber State 89, Utah Valley 56
UTAH VALLEY ST. (4-6) • Ja. Johnson 2-7 0-0 4, Hunsaker 4-7 2-3 12, Hubbard 4-9 2-2 11, Thompson 5-12 2-2 12, Aird 1-3 0-0 2, Hosley 2-8 0-0 4, Enos 1-3 1-1 3, Jones 3-5 0-0 6, Brown 1-3 0-0 2, Sinclair 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 23-58 7-8 56.
WEBER ST. (3-2) • Bamforth 6-8 2-2 18, Richardson 1-3 2-2 4, Otis 6-10 2-2 14, Berry 4-12 0-0 8, Tresnak 8-10 4-4 20, Wheelwright 2-5 0-0 4, Foster 0-0 0-0 0, Bradford 0-0 2-2 2, Bolomboy 4-9 2-2 10, Fulton 0-1 0-0 0, Williams 0-1 0-0 0, Hajek 4-5 1-2 9. Totals 35-64 15-16 89.
Halftime—Weber St. 43-32.
3-Point Goals—Utah Valley St. 3-16 (Hunsaker 2-4, Hubbard 1-2, Brown 0-1, Thompson 0-2, Ja. Johnson 0-2, Enos 0-2, Hosley 0-3), Weber St. 4-8 (Bamforth 4-5, Wheelwright 0-1, Richardson 0-1, Berry 0-1). Fouled Out—Aird. Rebounds—Utah Valley St. 29 (Hubbard 7), Weber St. 36 (Tresnak 9). Assists—Utah Valley St. 10 (Aird, Brown, Ja. Johnson 2), Weber St. 17 (Richardson 5). Total Fouls—Utah Valley St. 11, Weber St. 11. Technical—Utah Valley St. Bench. A—5,553.