OGDEN, Utah (Interstat) — In a game defined by offensive execution and a decisive second-half surge, the Weber State Wildcats pulled away from the Eastern Washington Eagles for a 91-80 victory in a Big Sky Conference men’s basketball game Thursday night at Dee Events Center.

A crowd of 2,920 watched as the Wildcats, led by a stellar performance from guard Tijan Saine, improved to 10-8 overall. The Eagles, despite a strong effort from forward Kiree Huie, fell to 3-14.

The contest was a tight, back-and-forth affair for the first 25 minutes. Eastern Washington, leveraging its size inside with Huie, held a narrow 44-42 lead at halftime. The Eagles maintained their edge early in the second half, but the game’s pivotal shift began near the 15-minute mark.

With Weber State trailing 48-44, Saine initiated a personal and team run that changed the complexion of the game. He drew a foul on a drive and sank two free throws, then on the ensuing possession, after an Eastern Washington turnover, he found Viljami Vartiainen for a 3-pointer that gave the Wildcats a 49-48 lead, their first since the opening minutes. Saine then stole the ball on Eastern Washington’s next trip and was fouled again, hitting two more free throws to cap a 7-0 personal run and extend the lead to 51-48.

The most important sequence of the game followed shortly after. With Weber State leading 58-55 and just over 10 minutes remaining, the Wildcats’ defense stiffened. They forced a turnover, leading to a transition 3-pointer from Saine, assisted by Jace Whiting. On the Eagles’ next possession, Whiting blocked a layup attempt, leading to free throws at the other end. In a span of just over two minutes, Weber State engineered a 14-2 run to blow the game open, turning a three-point edge into a 70-57 command with 7:55 to play. Eastern Washington never recovered, unable to cut the deficit below nine points the rest of the way.

Saine, a 5-foot-10 guard from Everett, Washington, was the catalyst throughout, finishing with 23 points and five assists in 34 minutes. His ability to penetrate, draw contact and create for others was the difference, especially during the decisive second-half stretch. He was supported by Edwin Suarez, who added 18 points off the bench, and Vartiainen, who chipped in 14 points, including four 3-pointers.

Eastern Washington was paced by Huie, a 6-foot-9 forward from Grayson, Georgia, who scored 21 points and blocked two shots. Guard Isaiah Moses added 20 points and Tyler Powell scored 17 for the Eagles, who shot 48.2 percent from the field but were undone by 15 turnovers and a 4-for-14 performance from beyond the arc.

Statistically, the game was closer than the final score indicated. Both teams had 77 possessions, but Weber State’s offensive efficiency proved superior. The Wildcats shot 47.5 percent from the field and were a sharp 9 of 20 from 3-point range. They also capitalized at the free-throw line, making 24 of 30 attempts. Eastern Washington made 22 of 27 free throws but could not match Weber State’s perimeter scoring or sustain its first-half momentum.

The Wildcats also won the battle on the glass, securing 11 offensive rebounds to Eastern Washington’s eight, leading to 15 second-chance points. Both teams recorded seven assists and seven steals, but Weber State’s 13 turnovers were two fewer than the Eagles’ total.

The victory extended Weber State’s winning streak to three games as they continue to climb the Big Sky standings. Eastern Washington, which had won its previous game against Montana, saw its hopes for a winning streak dashed by Weber State’s explosive second-half run.

Weber State next hosts Idaho on Saturday. Eastern Washington travels to face Idaho State on Saturday.