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State colleges: Montana squeaks by Weber State, 83-80

(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Weber State guard Jerrick Harding (10) celebrates the Wildcat's win over BYU, in basketball action between Brigham Young Cougars and Weber State Wildcats, at the Dee Event Center in Ogden, Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018.

Ogden • Sayeed Pridgett had a career-high 29 points plus 16 rebounds and Montana won its eighth consecutive game, narrowly beating Weber State 83-80 on Thursday night.

Montana led 40-24 at halftime and the Grizzlies’ lead was still double-digits with 5 minutes remaining. Weber State drew within 81-80 on a layup by Cody John with 14 seconds to go. The Wildcats fouled, sending Montana’s Kendal Manuel to the line and he made both free throws for the final margin. Weber State missed a couple of jump shots in the final few seconds.

Michael Oguine had 17 points and nine rebounds for Montana (18-6, 11-2 Big Sky Conference). Manuel added 16 points. Ahmaad Rorie had 13 points for the visitors.

Jerrick Harding had 30 points for the Wildcats (15-10, 9-5). Brekkott Chapman added 20 points and nine rebounds. John had 16 points.

Weber State takes on Montana State at home Saturday.

New Mexico St. 84, Utah Valley 77 • In Las Cruces, N.M., Eli Chuha had a season-high 21 points plus 10 rebounds as New Mexico State extended its winning streak to 10 games, beating Utah Valley 84-77 on Thursday night.

JoJo Zamora had 17 points for New Mexico State (21-4, 10-1 Western Athletic Conference). Trevelin Queen added 13 points.

Ben Nakwaasah had 18 points for the Wolverines (16-8, 5-4). Wyatt Lowell added 12 points. Baylee Steele had 11 points and 12 rebounds.

Conner Toolson was held to six points despite coming into the matchup as the Wolverines’ second leading scorer at 13 points per game.

Women’s basketball

BYU 70, Portland 69 • In Portland, Ore., junior guard Brenna Chase hit a career-best seven 3-pointers and finished with a season-high 24 points as the Cougars (19-6, 11-3 WCC) held off the pesky Pilots (10-14, 2-11).

Portland inbounded the ball with 11.3 seconds left and tried to get off a shot under the basket but 6-foot-7 center Sara Hamson and sophomore guard Paisley Johnson were right there to block the wild attempt and secure the one-point Cougar victory.

Chase also tied a career-high with seven boards and had four steals. Sophomore guard Shaylee Gonzales added 19 points, nine boards and six assists. Johnson added 16 points, a career-best seven assists and six rebounds.

It was the 12th time this season BYU had three in double figures.

Hamson also added five blocks and eight rebounds.