OGDEN, Utah (Interstat) — Tijan Saine scored 20 points and Weber State used a decisive run spanning the halves to pull away from Northern Arizona for a 72-53 victory in a Big Sky Conference men’s basketball game Saturday night at Dee Events Center.

A crowd of 2,903 watched the Wildcats improve to 12-13 overall, while the Lumberjacks fell to 9-16. The game was a rematch of a Jan. 8 contest won by Weber State, 78-65, in Flagstaff.

The most critical sequence of the game unfolded in the final minutes of the first half and the opening minutes of the second, turning a competitive contest into a comfortable lead for the home team. Northern Arizona, led by early three-pointers from Isaiah Shaw, had kept pace and trailed just 30-28 after a Karl Poom free throw with 4:23 left in the opening period.

Weber State responded with an 8-0 run to close the half. A driving layup from Declan Cutler was followed by a three-pointer from Tijan Saine, assisted by David Hansen. After a Northern Arizona turnover, Hansen connected on another three-pointer, this time off a Saine assist, to push the Wildcats’ lead to 36-28. Just before the halftime buzzer, Cutler tipped in a missed shot to give Weber State a 38-32 advantage at the break.

The Wildcats carried that momentum directly into the second half, opening with a 10-2 surge. Saine was instrumental, assisting on a Duce Paschal layup and then drawing a foul on a technical foul by Northern Arizona’s Karl Poom. Saine and Viljami Vartiainen combined to make three of the four ensuing free throws, and Saine added two more from the line shortly after. When the dust settled, Weber State led 48-34 just over three minutes into the second half, completing an 18-4 run overall.

Northern Arizona never recovered from that stretch. The Lumberjacks struggled offensively all night, shooting just 36.7 percent from the field and a frigid 58.8 percent from the free throw line. Their offensive rating of 92.9 points per 100 possessions underscored a stagnant attack that managed only three total assists.

Weber State, by contrast, was more efficient, shooting 48 percent from the field and posting an offensive rating of 121.3. The Wildcats dominated key areas, outscoring Northern Arizona 32-22 in the paint, 13-3 off turnovers, and 7-3 on fast breaks.

Saine, a guard from Everett, Washington, led all scorers with his 20 points, adding five assists and four rebounds in 33 minutes. His performance continued a string of strong outings, having scored 22 or more points in his three previous games. Nigel Burris supported him with 13 points, while Malek Gomma anchored the interior with nine rebounds and eight points.

For Northern Arizona, the offense was scattered. Isaiah Shaw came off the bench to lead the team with 10 points, all in the first half. Karl Poom added eight points and five rebounds, and Ryan Abelman contributed seven points, five rebounds and three assists.

Weber State’s defense was particularly effective in disrupting Northern Arizona’s rhythm, forcing eight turnovers and converting them into 13 points. The Wildcats also controlled the glass with 11 offensive rebounds leading to 13 second-chance points.

The win moves Weber State to a 3-2 record in its last five games. Northern Arizona, which had won two of its last three coming in, sees a brief positive streak snapped.

Weber State next travels to face Idaho on Wednesday. Northern Arizona returns home to host Portland State on Thursday.