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Show Friday, December 1,2006 M e n ' s B a s k e t b a l l continued from m> lost all three games against Rahe's former teams. WSU started Wednesday's game out on a high point as six-foot-nine-inch Wildcat forward Arturas Valeika won the opening tip-off over Utah seven-foot-one-inch forward Luke Nevill. However, Neviil would end up stealing the show. A dominating threat in the paint, Nevill scored a game-high 24 points. The Wildcats have not faced a player of Nevill's size before Wednesday's game. He posed unique offensive threats that forced WSU defenders to constantly adjust. "We just tried to front him and not let him catch every time," Valeika said, "but it was really tough, he's a good player. I have a lot of respect for the guy." Valeika, along with six-footeight-inch Wildcat forward David Patten, shared time guarding Nevill but could not keep him at bay. When the 'Cats collapsed on Nevill or double-teamed him, Nevill was effective atfindingan open perimeter shooter. Utah was 9-17 on 3-point attempts, getting numerous wide-open looks. Nevill also created challenges for theWildcats with his defensive play. The Wildcats scored just 18 points in the paint and kept the ball around the perimeter for the majority of their offensive possessions.The 'Cats attempted 22 3-pointers and made just seven of them. "I thought we turned down post touches," Rahe said. "When you see a big guy like Nevill in there you just get hesitant and you can't get hesitant. We relied on [3-pointers] too much, we made a few, but we're not just a 3-point-shooting team." Rahe said the game ultimately came down to turnovers. Utah had 13 turnovers in the game compared to WSU's 21. "I don't like them," Rahe said. "We had 21 turnovers, that's probably the difference in the game to be honest with you. We don't get shots, we turn it over and they transition off our turnovers. We've got to get better at it, that's all I know. We've got to be stronger with the ball, we've got to be more composed, we've got to have more confidence against the pressure." A bright spot for the Wildcats was the play of guard Dezmon Harris. Harris scored a team-high 17 points coming off the bench, which included six consecutive points on a 3-pointer and a 3point-play that got the Wildcats within three points midway through the second half. "I thought Dezmon played well," Rahe said, "not only offensively, but defensively. He plays with a lot of confidence, did a great job, made some shots, Page 7 The Signpost AAT Women's Basketball continued from page 6 "Our team looked intimidated." At halftime, Utah led 39-23, but everyone expected the 'Cats to bounce back because of their poorfieldgoal shooting in the first half. So far this season, WSU's best defense has been their imposing offense. It wasn't meant to be, however, and they had a worse field goal percentage and struggled more in the second half than they did in the first. "We've been talking a lot this week about how we can be better as a team," said U of U head coach Elaine Elliott. After starting the season 1-4, Elliott said she felt it was time to "Get the kids some morefire,"and apparently it paid off. Utah led the entire game from their opening 3-pointer by freshman forward Kalee Whipple. Whipple finished the game with 16 points and 5 rebounds, while sophomorecenterLydiaWhitehead was Utah's top scorer with 17 points along with 5 rebounds. Big Sky Conference Player of the Week, WSU junior forward Sara Tuomi, contributed 10 points and 10 rebounds for WSU, which gives her three double-doubles so far continued from page A this season. Also, WSU sophomore center Janie Rayback had decent playing time this week and added her 15 points and an overall strong presence in the post. WSU senior guard's Chelsey Warburton and Laura Porter combined for just eight points, even though they've individually averaged more per game this season. Defense has consistently been WSU's biggest problem so far, although they've managed to score well enough to overshadow that flaw. They were out-rebounded 46-28 by Utah and only managed to get three steals. Utah has won 11 of the last 12 meetings between the two teams and are now 40-5 all time against WSU. "They're more physical/' said WSU assistant coach Rachelle Gardner-Sayers. .TheWildcats now slip to 4-2 this season. They will remain at home until their next game at the Dee Events Center, which is against Southern Illinois University on Saturday, Dec. 2 at 2 p.m. "This is one of the main ways I contribute in the holiday season,"Dupaix said. A Junior majoring in theater, Dupaix has been a member of AAT for two years and said she enjoys helping with the Christmas service project the group does each year. After finishing her exams, she will be donating her last two days of finals week to rehearse with the other AAT members. "The YCC is something I feel strongly about," Dupaix said. "We don't think about these people at Christmas time, these domestic violence victims are often overlooked. I think it's easier to donate to a food bank, and easy to remember the child aspect of Christmas with things like 'Toys for Tots' instead of shelters like this one. There is a lot of media focus on the others so we [members of AAT] tried to pick one that could use a little boost." You can leave a message for reporter The performances are Dec. 18, Nick Meares by calling 626-7983. 19,20, and 21 at 7:30 in the Eccles Theater. General admission is S5, for AAT members $4, for children 12 and younger $2 and children under 3 are free. Group passes will also be available, $15 for any group of four. For every Standing Out general admission ticket sold, $1 will be donated directly to By Jon McBride sports editor | The Signpost the YCC, and for every group pass, $5 will be donated. What to watch at WSU Happening at WSU this weekend: • Saturday, 2 p.m.; WSU Women's Basketball vs. Southern Illinois Univeristy; Dee Events Center. • Saturday, 7 p.m.; *WSU Men's Basketball vs. Brigham Young University; Dee Events Center. You can leave a message for reporter Heidi LeBaron by calling 626-7105. What to catch up on after the weekend (See The Signpost Holiday next week for full coverage): continued from page 4 • Thursday to Saturday; WSU DII Hockey at California State University, Long Beach and Loyola Maramount University; Lakewood and Culver City, Calif. • Friday and Saturday; WSU DI Hockey at University of Arizona; Tucson, Ariz. cellos, basses, oboe, and trumpet. The trumpet part calls for a specialized trumpet in D, and will be played by a member of the faculty. Elissa Krebbs, a music education major, plays the violin What to keep on the radar: for the orchestra and will be performing in Vivaldi's "Gloria". • Thursday, Dec. 7; WSU DII Hockey vs. No. 1-ranked Eastern "This is my 5th and final year Washington University; Ice Sheet. doing the concert," Krebbs said. Seven-foot-one-inch University of Utah forward Luke Nevill, #40, "The church is beautiful and I • The Signpost Sports Editor Jon McBride's pick - The men's (top) goes up for a rebound against Weber State University forward love the stained glass windows." basketball team didn't seem to get in any sort of rhythm against the David Patten Wednesday at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City. The program concludes with University of Utah Wednesday, but I think WSU Head Coach Randy Rahe (above) walks disappointedly in front the audience singing "Silent they are learning some things from these of the Wildcat bench on his old home court. Night" in German with the tough in-state match ups. Saturday's choir. game against BYU willfinallyallow the made some things happen when percent. "The German lesson is sort 'Cats to play a home game against an we were struggling. He's been "I'm confident in myself," in-state team. The games at Utah State of tongue-in-cheek, but it does doing that for the most part all Harris said. "I just took it upon University and the University of Utah help to get the audience involved year long." in the singing of "Silent Night," myself to try and do something, have exposed this young Wildcat team Palumbo said. "We perform the Although Harris' play kept the just try and keep fighting. I ain't to hostile environments and skilled piece the way it was originally 'Cats close, they never led in the no quitter." opposition, coming home to the Dee performed." game. Harris' fighting wasn't enough Events Center will be a welcomed change. The concert will be at 5:30 "We were trying to force a to grab a win for his coach. Rahe Actually, it will only be a welcome change p.m. and 8 p.m. to accommodate lot of stuff and we just weren't will most likely have to wait until if you, reader of this column, go to the the volume of people who have executing," Harris said. "Every next season to get another chance game and cheer for WSU. I keep having attended previous years. time we turned the ball over to beat a former team. For now, this nightmare that there will be more Those who arrive early for they came down the court and he and the Wildcats are focused BYU fans at Saturday's game than WSU the 5:30 p.m. performance will scored." on Saturday's match up against fans. TheWildcats are due; this could be their game. Knocking off the see the evening sun through the Harris was 6-12 from the field, Brigham Young University. Tip- Cougs at home would give the 'Cats some momentum back. stain-glass windows of the old including three 3-pointers. As off is at 7 p.m. Ifyou have a WSU-related sporting event worthy of alerting Wildcatfans church. a team, the Wildcats shot 41.5 You can reach reporter Jon McBride about, call Jon McBride at 626-7983. "What I like about this percent compared to Utah's 55.3 by calling 626-7983. concert and its setting in St. Joseph's church is that the music Monday Night Madness is peaceful and very beautiful," S8 lor 2 hrs oi boivhnrr including shoes Krebs said. "It helps you 6pm lo 3pm •I person minimum remember what Christmas is all Hilltop Bowling Lanes about." Two Dollar Tuesday 4400 Washington Blvd. 52 pamos 52 shoes Tickets for the performance Ogdan, Ur H4403 from noon lo 11pm are $4.50 for adults, $3.50 for 801-479-7730 students, seniors and those with military I.D. Children six and older are welcome. THIS SATURDAYm ONE AMI Hilltop f Jili< tier [iiTMiti |it«r <l.l\ MM; v.ilitl i i i r l i n n - l n t \ \ | i M r I i|Kii-, l.Vi WSU Mir! I "". .:<nii. You can leave a message for reporter Julie Thompson by calling 626-7105. vs. BRIGHAM Y 7:05 WSU Women Southern 2:00 p.m. KWCR 68.1 Weber FM can help you gain experience fields such as marketing, sales, promotion, management* sports, production and nru*cft more* We are recruiting students to fill on-air time slots and work in all of ttiese fields* Sign up for COMM 2730, or just show up to class and we will sign you in Tuesdays 1PM B3 Rm 31 For mor • info cantoct Etoua at 636-8943 |