Balanced Southern Utah tops Weber State 65-56

OGDEN, Utah (AP) A.J. Hess led a balanced attack with 14 points as Southern Utah defeated Weber State 65-56 on Thursday, ending a five-game losing streak.

Casey Oliverson, Trey Kennedy and Tyler Rawson had 10 points each for the Thunderbirds (6-16, 3-8 Big Sky), whose last win was over the Wildcats.

Richaud Gittens and Chris Golden had 13 points each for the Wildcats (10-13, 5-7).

Hess opened the game with two quick baskets and Southern Utah raced to a 12-1 lead but the Thunderbirds had to score the last five points of the half to take a 30-28 lead and never trailed in the second half.

The Wildcats were within 59-56 with 45 seconds remaining but Hess sandwiched four free throws around a Juwan Major dunk to close out the game.

Southern Utah shot 49 percent while Weber State was at 27.6, including 19 percent (5-16) from 3-point range.