Ogden, UT -- (Sports Network) - Defending conference champion Weber State kept its repeat bid alive, as Arturas Valeika's 11-point, 12-rebound performance paced the third-seeded Wildcats to a 65-49 victory over the sixth-seeded Montana State Bobcats in first round action of the Big Sky Tournament at the Dee Events Center.

Nine different Wildcats (16-13) tallied at least five points, as Brody Van Brocklin topped double-figures with 10 points.

Carlos Taylor was the only Bobcat (15-15) netting double digits, finishing with 14 points and six rebounds on a 5-for-14 shooting night from the field.

Weber State jumped out to a commanding 36-21 lead at the break by hitting 11- of-21 from the field and 10-of-11 from the foul line in the opening stanza.

While the field goals weren't falling as frequently for the Wildcats in the final period, their defense kept up the intensity and nullified the Bobcats' comeback effort by holding them to nine second-half field goals in the 16- point conquest.

The Wildcats committed 14 turnovers, but won the battle on the boards by a 38-30 margin. Next up for Weber State is second-seeded Northern Arizona in the semifinals on Tuesday.