Weber State turns back Portland State 82-79

OGDEN, Utah -- Ryan Richardson tallied 17 points, five rebounds and five assists and Ricky Nelson scored 17 on 5-of-6 shooting from the floor and free-throw line as Weber State slipped past Portland State 82-79 on Saturday night.

Jerrick Harding added 14 points for the Wildcats (12-7, 5-2 Big Sky Conference), while Zach Braxton contributed 10 points and nine rebounds and Michal Kozak scored 11. Kozak was 3 of 3 from 3-point range as Weber State shot better from outside the arc than inside it. The Wildcats connected on 25 of 61 shots (41 percent) from the floor, but made 48 percent (11 of 23) from distance.

Deontae North topped the Vikings (13-7, 3-4) with 22 points and nine rebounds. Holland Woods added 15 points and five assists, while Ryan Edwards totaled 12 points, 10 rebounds and four blocked shots. Edwards, who left the Gonzaga program to join Portland State, has notched double-doubles in back-to-back games.

Weber State led by three at halftime and upped its advantage to 62-50 midway through the second half on a 3-pointer by Richardson. The Wildcats still had a 10-point lead at the 4:50 mark, but Holland hit two buckets and four free throws and Edwards added a tip-in to pull the Vikings within 81-79 with 48 seconds remaining. Nelson hit 1 of 2 free throws with six seconds left to account for the final margin.