Box Score NAMPA, Idaho (Feb. 22) -- The Central Washington University women's basketball team help a managable lead for the majority of the second-half, but a late rally by Norhwest Nazarene was enough to upend the Wildcats 55-53 Saturday night.

Central Washington started off their night against Northwest Nazarene with a bang, going on a 9-0 run for the first four minutes of the game. The Wildcats kept the Crusaders down for the first 10 minutes until a jumper by Chelsie Luke kicked off a scoring streak for NNU. CWU managed to stop that streak with two great 3-point shots by COURTNEY JOHNSON and ERIKA LOCKER with one-minute left to go in the half. By half-time the score was 21-24, with Central still in the lead.

The second half was  touch and go for the Wildcats, with NNU slowing creeping up about five minutes in and eventually tying the Wildcats at 37-37 with 12:00 left. HANNAH SHINE came in and saved the day draining two 3-point shots within 25 seconds of each other. Luke gave them a run for their money again in the second-half, making several shots to tie the game up again. The last two minutes of the game were an agonizing dual between the two teams, keeping the game as close as two points from one another. NNU was able to come out ahead however, making a final two points to put them ahead, 55-53.

Johnson and JASMINE PARKER lead the 'Cats in scoring on the night, putting up 12 and 11 points respectively. ALLY SCHMITT finished the game with a total of eight rebound and six assists. Not far behind her was Johnson with 6 rebounds and 3 steals and Parker with 9 rebounds total. The Wildcats went 20 of 55 in the field tonight, improving from last weekend's game ( 21 of 72).

The Wildcats will play the first game of a men's and women's double header on Thursday night against Western Oregon University at 5:15 p.m. in Nicholson Pavilion.