ELLENSBURG, Wash. (Nov. 25) – The Central Washington University women's basketball team notched a 71-47 over the Whitworth University Pirates.  The Wildcats are now 4-1 on the season, while Whitworth falls to 1-2. 
 
Central's staunch defense returned, limiting the Pirates to just four points in the first quarter.
 
"I thought we came out focused and wanting to shut down a good shooting team, and we did that for the most part," CWU Head Coach Jeff Harada said.  "We wanted to keep them in front, and we knew they like to take a lot of threes. They like to get in the paint and pull, so it was real important not to allow penetration and keep the ball in front and contest all shots. Ball pressure was big, its what we preach. We want our players to be strong and physical and intense defensively and if we can do that, then teams will have a tough time shooting well against us."
 
The Wildcats opened the game with a 9-2 run with layups by Alexis Berrysmith, Jasmine Parker, and Jasmin Edwards, as well as the opening three-pointer by Rachel Lorentson.
 
Whitworth found its stride in the second quarter, cutting the Wildcats' lead to 17-15.  A layup by Parker gave the Wildcats a four-point lead, 19-15.  The two sides exchanged baskets and free throws and headed into the locker rooms with a 31-21 game, in favor of CWU.
 
With a 34-25 lead, the Wildcats looked to extend their advantage.  With 7:14 left in the third quarter Edwards pickpocketed Jessic Thoens, leading to a Berrysmith layup.
 
Central Washington recorded 27 points off turnovers, 13 coming in the third quarter. 
 
"We understand we're not going to shut teams out," Harada added.  "We just want them to shoot a low percentage. I thought in the second quarter we got a little relaxed but we were able to score a little to win the quarter. I thought our third quarter was our best quarter because our defense led to our offense and we could get out in transition. Mel Valdez was kind of the quarterback on some of those breakaways. It was just getting out and running, and using our speed and athleticism to get out and score some easy buckets."
 
Edwards then pulled in a defensive rebound on the ensuing Pirates' possession and hit a three, giving the Wildcats a 39-25 advantage.
 
Edwards finished with 22 points, five assists, four steals, and two rebounds.
 
"I thought this game and the last, she shot the ball well," Harada said of his sophomore point guard.  "I thought the key for her was getting layups tonight. Paint shots and going 5-for-5 from the free throw line kind of gives you the confidence to step out and hit those longer shots.  She's getting better at picking and choosing her spots of when to attack in our offense."
 
With just under three and a half to play in the third quarter, Melanie Valdez forced a turnover by Alexis McLeod and found Edwards on the fast break for two.
 
Valdez finished with seven assists and four steals.  She also drew two offensive fouls and helped hold KC McConnell to a 3-for-10 mark from the field.
 
"Mel was awesome tonight, she's our best defender by far on the ball and on the perimeter," Harada noted.  "Our team knows this. She frustrates the heck out of her teammates during practice and they get happy when they see her do it to the other team. She knows that that's her role and she embraces that role and she loves doing it. She has the perfect mentality to do it. When she's out there harassing other players and defending them well we're going to have a good chance to win games."
 
The Wildcats scored 12 points on a fast break and added 42 in the paint.
 
A timeout by Whitworth with the clock at 3:16 led to a steal by Edwards on the restart and a bucket by Parker on the break.  Central Washington ended the third quarter with a 55-33 advantage.
 
The Wildcats extended their lead to a game-high 26 points on a layup by Jonnae Richardson with 8:56 remaining in regulation, 59-33. 
 
The Wildcats' bench recorded 28 points, including 14 in the fourth quarter.   Central shot 66.7% in the second half.
 
Central is back in action on Tuesday, Dec. 1, against Northwest Nazarene.  Tip-off for the Great Northwest Athletic Conference opener is scheduled for 7 p.m. in Nicholson Pavilion.