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State colleges: Weber State alone atop the Big Sky after downing Northern Colorado 78-64

(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah State Aggies guard Crew Ainge (4) takes the ball down the middle, as Weber State Wildcats guard Israel Barnes (12) defends, in basketball acton in the Beehive Classic, between against the Utah State Aggies and Weber State Wildcats, a the Vivint Smart Home Arena, Saturday December 8, 2018. On Saturday, Jan. 19, 2019, Weber State defeated Northern Colorado in a battle for first place in the Big Sky Conference.

Ogden • Cody John scored 14 of his 20 points in the second half to help Weber State pull away and beat Northern Colorado 78-64 on Saturday night in a game for sole possession of first place in the Big Sky Conference.

Weber State (12-6, 6-1 Big Sky Conference) has won seven of its last eight games. Northern Colorado (11-7, 5-2) has lost two of its last three since starting conference play 4-0. The Bears host Weber State on Feb. 28.

Jerrick Harding added 16 points for the Wildcats, who had five players in double-figure scoring while shooting 56 percent from the floor.

Jordan Davis scored 25 points to lead Northern Colorado.

The Bears led 31-29 at the break. Brekkott Chapman and John each made two 3-pointers to open the second half on a 12-2 run. Northern Colorado pulled to 43-40, but John scored the next four points, Michal Kozak hit a 3-pointer and the Wildcats had a double-digit lead for most of the remainder.

New Mexico State 83, Utah Valley 78 • In Orem, Eli Chuha had 20 points and 14 rebounds to lead New Mexico State over Utah Valley.

The game was tied 66-66 with 5:40 remaining before the Aggies used a 13-5 surge and led 79-71 with 26 seconds to play. AJ Harris scored five points during the stretch and added two free throws with four seconds left.

New Mexico State (15-4, 4-1 Western Athletic Conference) has won six of its last seven games. Utah Valley (13-7, 2-3) has lost three of its last five.

Terrell Brown added 19 points and Harris finished with 18 for New Mexico State. Chuha, Brown and Harris combined for 22-of-26 shooting at the free-throw line. JoJo Zamora made a pair of 3-pointers and chipped in 13 points for the Aggies.

Jake Toolson scored 26 points on 11-of-14 shooting for Utah Valley. Ben Nakwaasah added 13 points and Wyatt Lowell had 12.

Women’s basketball

BYU 79, Portland 71 • In Provo, a career-game from sophomore Maria Albiero helped the Cougars beat the Pilots at the Marriott Center.

The Cougars (16-4, 8-0) went on a 16-3 run in the final minutes of the game to increase their win streak to 10 games and to stay undefeated in West Coast Conference action.

Four Cougars scored in double figures for the fifth time this season. Albiero led the team with 16 points while grabbing two rebounds and one steal.

Paisley Johnson contributed 15 points, three assists, three steals and two rebounds. Brenna Chase recorded 13 points, three assists, three rebounds and two steals while Shaylee Gonzales recorded a double-double with 11 points and 10 assists.