OGDEN – Weber State opened 2014 and the Big Sky Conference season with a 74-67 win over Eastern Washington Thursday night at the Dee Events Center.

The Eagles started the game on a 10-0 run before the Wildcats scored nearly four minutes into the game. EWU led again by as many as nine points with 9:20 to play in the first half when the Wildcats responded with a 12-3 run to tie the game at 28-28 with 6:00 remaining in the first half.

Weber State took the lead for the first time with 3:30 to play in the half and would never trail again. WSU held a 37-33 lead at halftime.

The Wildcats extended the lead to 11 points at 58-47 after a three-pointer from Jeremy Senglin . The Eagles rallied to cut the lead to three points at 70-67 with 1:42 to play. Joel Bolomboy blocked a Venky Jois layup and then made two free throws to extend the lead to five with 48 seconds to play.

“I thought we came out a little nervous and didn't get off to a very good start but I was really proud of how our team responded,” said WSU head coach Randy Rahe . “I thought after the first few minutes of the half we really got our defense going and that fueled us and gave us some confidence. We got into a good rhythm and were more comfortable out there. It wasn't always pretty but we found a way.”

The Wildcats outrebounded the Eagles 37-29, just the third time this season they have outrebound an opponent. WSU shot 48 percent from the field and held Eastern Washington to 43 percent shooting. The 'Cats were 6-20 from three-point land and shot 64 percent from the free throw line.

WSU freshman Jeremy Senglin led the Wildcats with 16 points along with three rebounds and three assists. Joel Bolomboy had his second double-double of the season with 13 points and a game-high 12 rebounds. Kyle Tresnak also added 13 along with six rebounds. Richaud Gittens started for the first time and had nine points and four assists.

Tyler Harvey led Eastern Washington with 30 points.The win was WSU's 950th win as a Divsion I school.

The Wildcats improve to 4-5 overall and have now won 19 straight Big Sky home games. WSU will be back home Saturday night against Portland State.