Weber State rallies in second half for 78-74 victory

GREELEY, Colo. -- Jerrick Harding scored 21 points, Zach Braxton added 18 and Weber State defeated Northern Colorado 78-74 on Thursday night.

Harding was right on his average of 21.5 points per game that leads the Big Sky Conference. Ryan Richardson made three 3-pointers and scored 14 points with Ricky Nelson adding 12, including 10 of 11 free throws, for the Wildcats (10-6, 3-1 Big Sky), who have won three straight and six of seven.

Andre Spight scored 20 points, Jalen Sanders and Jordan Davis 12 each and Anthony Johnson 11 for the Bears (11-7, 2-3), who have lost three in a row.

Northern Colorado had two more field goals and five more 3-pointers but Weber State made 25 of 35 free throws to 12 of 21 for the Bears.

The Bears led 39-39 at halftime but a 14-0 run put the Wildcats up 59-54 with 7:38 to go and they clung to a single-digit lead the rest of the way. The Bears were within four with 44 seconds left but four free throws ensured the win for Weber State.