ELLESNBURG, Wash (Nov. 29) – The Central Washington University women's basketball team defeated Dixie State University 76-53 for the team's third consecutive win.

The Wildcats climb to 3-1 on the season and 2-0 at home as the Red Storm fall to 1-3 overall.

The Storm led the game for just 1:58 in the first half. With the score tied at 4-4 the Wildcats exploded for 12-0 run that inflated the lead to 16-4, and they never looked back. Courtney Johnson scored or assisted on half the plays during the 12-0 run. She would finish the afternoon with 21 points and 7 rebounds.

"Our defense was decent," First year Head Coach Jeff Harada said. "In the first half we were making them force shots."

Jasmine Parker scored 10 of her 18 points in the opening frame and would record her first double-double of the season as she snatched 10 rebounds in the winning effort. The Wildcats limited the Storm's offense to shoot just 25 percent (9-36) in the first half while forcing eight turnovers.

"I thought we attacked the rim well," Harada said. "That was our game plan in the beginning, not to settle for jump shots and make them play defense against us for 20 seconds."

Jasmin Edwards contributed in many different ways as she would finish the afternoon with nine points, eight rebounds, and four assists. The freshman's best play came when she ran down a Storm player on a fast break and blocked the shot from behind.

The Wildcats would go into half time with a 41-22 lead.

"As a team we worked harder in the second half," Jasmine Parker said. "We have to be better at boxing out and grabbing every rebound."

Central shooters found more success in the second half. After shooting 53 percent from the field in the first half they would shoot 56 percent, and make three three-point field goals versus just one in the first half.

Alexis Berrysmith came off the bench and scored eight points and grabbed two rebounds and Chantel Heath pitched in with seven points to lead the Wildcat bench which scored 20 points compared to 17 points the Storm got from its reserves.

"Overall we executed pretty well," Harada added. "We held their leading scorer to just 11 points which is a win for us. We have to continue to work harder to rebound better and stay aggressive."

The Wildcats will travel to Cheney, Wash., Nov. 29., to battle Eastern Washington University. You can follow live stats and game updates at Wildcats.com