Women's Basketball | 12/3/2014 1:51:00 PM

ELLENSBURG, Wash. (Dec. 3) -- After five tough games to start the year, the Central Washington University women's basketball team opens its Great Northwest Athletic Conference schedule this week when they host Saint Martin's University this Thursday, followed by a matchup with Western Oregon University on Saturday.  Both games are scheduled to for a 5:15 tip.
 
The Wildcats have started the season 3-2 and enter GNAC play with a winning record for the fifth consecutive season.  Although the Wildcats have only won six conference games the past two seasons and were picked to finish last in the GNAC this year, head coach Jeff Harada remains confident things will change this season.
 
"We are working hard to prove to ourselves and the rest of the league that we are better than advertised.  We know every night is going to be a battle in the GNAC and we are excited to compete and hopefully finish where we think we can and qualify for the conference tournament."
 
Central Washington will look to get a jump-start in the conference race on Thursday against Saint Martin's.  The Saint's, who finished in sixth place last year, has started the season with a 2-4 record.  Saint Martin's has lost four of their last five games, losing their most recent game 72-59 to Tampa on Nov. 29.  Krista Stabler, who is averaging 11.7 points per game and shooting 45-percent from the field, leads the team as they head to Ellensburg.
 
"Saint Martin's will be a good test for us because they were a playoff team last year and they swept us." Harada said.  "They are well coached and have a solid group of returners, so we will see how far we have come after competing with them."
 
On Friday, Western Oregon will come to town.  The Wildcats split the season series a year ago, with each team winning on their home court.  The Wolves currently sit at 1-4 on the season winning their last matchup 68-57 over Concordia University (Ore.).  The Wolves are led by Dana Goularte, who is averaging a double-double with 15.2 points and 10.4 rebounds per game.
 
"Western Oregon is another team with a lot of returning players and a great player in Goularte," Harada said.  "They shoot the ball well and will be a good test for us defensively."
 
So far this season, The Wildcats have relied upon the scoring of senior Courtney Johnson and the all-around efforts of true freshman Jasmin Edwards.  Johnson enters the week averaging 18.3 points per game, which is tops on the team and third best in the Conference.  Johnson has converted on 51.7-percent of her shots this season, 38.1-percent from three-point territory.
 
Edwards is averaging 13.8 points per contest and leads the team with 4.2 assists per game, which ranks fourth in the GNAC.
 
After these two contest the Wildcats will finish off their non-conference schedule with a home game against Concordia University on Dec. 13, followed by two games in Billings, Mont. when they face Montana Tech and South Dakota Mines on Dec. 18 and 19.