Box Score

SEATTLE (Dec. 29) -- Senior LUV RATTLER (Riverside, Calif./Kentlake HS) made 11 of 12 free throws en route to a career-high 20 points, helping the Central Washington University women's basketball team defeat Saint Edward's University, 72-61, on Wednesday evening in the opening game of the Falcons Invitational at Brougham Pavilion.

The win was the second in a row for the Wildcats, who improved to 5-3 on the year. Saint Edward's, from Austin, Texas, and a member of the Heartland Conference, fell to 7-5.

Rattler, whose 20 points were the most by a CWU player so far this season, also finished with seven assists, four rebounds, and three steals. Her efficiency at the free throw line, which included making 9 of 10 attempts in the second half, helped the Wildcats to a season-best 81.5 percent (22 of 27) at the foul line for the game. CWU made 19 of 22 at the stripe in the second half.

Central got out to a fast start against the Hilltoppers, scoring on its opening possession and taking a seven-point lead with 13:55 to go in the first half. After a second seven-point margin just under two minutes later, Saint Edward's went on a 12-2 run to take a 19-16 lead, but CWU responded with six straight points to regain the lead. Two ties and a pair of SEU leads later, the Wildcats retook the lead with 1:44 to go before halftime and did not trail again, as they closed the period with six straight points for a 30-25 halftime edge.

That spurt carried over to an overall 17-2 run to start the second half, as the Wildcats made three-pointers on two of their first three possessions in the period to extend the advantage to double digits for the first time at 36-25. CWU kept the lead at 10 or more until the 7:05 mark, at which time the Hilltoppers continued to close their deficit. Saint Edward's crept to within five on two occasions, including with 4:52 remaining, but the Wildcats scored 14 of the next 19 points including a perfect 10 for 10 at the free throw line down the stretch to preserve the victory.

In addition to Rattler's 20-point effort, junior SOPHIE RUSSELL (Olympia/River Ridge HS) and senior ALEYSE EVANS (Sacramento, Calif./Mesa Verde HS) also scored in double figures for the Wildcats with 13 and 12, respectively. Russell made three three-pointers, while Evans added eight rebounds and was 6 of 10 from the floor. Sophomore STACY ALBRECHT (Federal Way/Thomas Jefferson HS) finished two points shy of a double-double, totaling eight counters and a game-high 12 rebounds.

Saint Edward's, whom CWU held to 30.8 percent shooting, was led by the 14 points of reserve Stephanie Dekkers. Brittany Ward added 11 and Kasey Harlos finished with 10 for the Hilltoppers.

CWU will wrap up the 2010 calendar year portion of its schedule at the tournament on Thursday, taking on Notre Dame de Namur at 5 p.m. in Seattle. The Wildcats will then debut the 2011 calendar year on Monday (Jan. 3), facing rival Western Washington in their first home game at Nicholson Pavilion in 44 days.