Box Score ELLENSBURG, WA - It became apparent the game was going to be a shootout and the final score proved early indications. Unfortunately for Central Washington University's men's basketball team, the Wildcats fell in a 96-89 decision to the visiting University of Alaska Anchorage Seawolves.

The loss drops CWU to 11-10 overall and 7-6 in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play. UAA improved to 14-11 on the season and 7-7 in GNAC play.

The Wildcats, clearly the bigger in the paint, instead started the game doing what Anchorage does best, hitting from the 3-point arc. MARK MCLAUGHLIN (Inglemoor HS), KEVIN DAVIS (Todd Beamer HS) and Marc Rogers all hit long range shots within the first two minutes of the contest to get out to an 11-5 lead. The Seawolves cut it to within one, but the Wildcats again got hot, turning an 11-10 margin into a 22-11 cushion on shots from JOEY ROPPO (Monroe HS) and Davis, in addition to four free throws from McLaughlin.

The Wildcats maintained a healthy lead for the rest of the first half, staying up by double digits for most of the remaining 10 minutes. JEFF BUDINICH (Kentlake HS) and JORDAN RUSSELL (Lincoln HS) both hit two 3-pointers apiece in the latter stages of the half and the Wildcats went into the locker room up by 10 on the Seawolves, 54-44.

Unfortunately for the Wildcats, the Seawolves came out a bit more focused in the second half, immediately hitting a 3-pointer on their first possession and slowly chipped away at CWU's lead. Up by nine (72-63) with 12:47 to play in the contest, CWU was then outscored by UAA 13-0 during the next 4:34 as the Seawolves earned their first lead of the game.

CWU kept within striking distance, always staying within one possession even regaining the lead at the 3:32 mark, when Russell hit a jumper to make it 84-83 in favor of CWU. Later, down by one, CWU would tie it at 86 apiece with two free throws from McLaughlin, but the visiting Seawolves regained the cushion and kept the lead for the rest of the game.

The Wildcats shot a blistering 53.8 percent (14-of-26) from the 3-point arc, including nearly 59 percent in the first half, but couldn't keep up with the Seawolves who also shot well from long range, hitting 19-of-37 for a 51.4 percent clip. CWU ended the game shooting a respectable 49 percent from the floor overall.

McLaughlin – the nation's leading scorer with a 27.5 points per game average – scored a team-high 28 on the night, including 18 from the free throw line. He and Rogers both netted six assists on the night. Russell – who came into the game averaging a shade more than seven points per contest – had a season-high 23 on 9-of-14 shooting from the field, including 5-of-8 from the perimeter. Davis had a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. The Wildcat bench, led by Russell's 23, outscored Anchorage's bench, 34-11.

Travis Thompson led the Seawolves with a game-high 31 points.

CWU stays at home with a weekend contest against the University of Alaska Fairbanks at 7 p.m. on Saturday at Nicholson Pavilion.