Box Score

BILLINGS, Mont. (Feb. 9) -- Six Central Washington University men's basketball players scored in double figures, led by senior JODY JOHNSON (Seattle/Franklin HS) and sophomore LACY HADDOCK (Las Vegas, Nev./Sierra Vista HS) with 16 points each, to lead the Wildcats to a 99-89 win over Montana State Billings University on Thursday evening at Alterowitz Gymnasium.

The win lifted the Wildcats back above the .500 mark with an overall record of 11-10, as they improved to 5-8 in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference and swept the season series from the Yellowjackets. Montana State Billings fell to 13-9, 8-6 in GNAC play.

Central Washington played from behind for the majority of the first half, and trailed by nine points on five different occasions, but a three-pointer by junior JORDAN COBY (Tacoma/Wilson HS) at the end of the half allowed the Wildcats to enter halftime with just a four-point deficit at 46-42.

Senior ROBY CLYDE (Connell/Pasco HS) opened the second half with a fast-break dunk off a steal, and Johnson followed with a layup to tie the game at 46 points. The two teams battled back and forth, as there were six ties and 13 lead changes in the second half alone, before the Wildcats took a one-point advantage at the 11:32 mark on a jumper by Johnson and never relinquished the lead. Central's final 10-point margin was its largest of the game as it outscored MSUB 57-43 in the second half.

Central Washington had an overwhelming advantage in the paint, where they outscored the Yellowjackets 22-6, and finished a 34-30 rebounding advantage. Fifteen of the Wildcats' rebounds were on the offensive end, which helped CWU hold a 14-4 advantage in second-chance points.

The Wildcats had their second-best shooting night of the season, shooting 54.8 percent from the field (34-62), and were 7 of 14 from three-point territory. Both teams had 37 attempts form the free throw line, with the Wildcats converting 24 while the Yellowjackets sank 33 free throws.

In addition to Johnson and Haddock, senior TOUSSAINT TYLER (Kent/Kentwood HS) and Coby scored 15 points apiece, while Clyde and junior BRANDON MAGEE (Spanaway/Bethel HS) each added 13 points.  Magee scored in double figures for the first time since a season-high 20-point outing against Rollins College on Dec. 16.

Antoine Proctor had a game-high 30 points for MSUB and missed just one of his 16 free throw attempts. Proctor also added six rebounds, three assists and four steals.

Central Washington will next travel to play Seattle Pacific University this Saturday (Feb. 11) at 7 p.m.