Women's Basketball | 12/11/2015 11:47:00 AM

ELLENSBURG, Wash. (Dec. 10) – Central Washington University women's basketball team faces off against Northwest University, a NAIA institution, in a non-conference game on Saturday (Dec. 12). 
 
"Our last game definitely left a bitter taste in our mouths and I know we are excited to get back on the floor against a good Northwest team," CWU Head Coach Jeff Harada said.
 
The Eagles enter the week with a record of 5-6 and a 2-1 mark in the Cascade Collegiate Conference.  The NAIA institution is 2-3 on the road.  Prior to arriving in Ellensburg, the Eagles host Pacific Lutheran University on Friday (Dec. 11).  Northwest is coming off a 75-59 road victory over Multnomah University.
 
 Jordan Asher leads the scoring effort, averaging 12 points and five assists per game.  Mariah Stancona follows tightly behind, averaging 11.9 points per game.
 
"They have a couple of guards that can really shoot it, and also a couple of post players who are big and strong," Harada acknowledged.  "They match up well with us so I expect a tough physical game."
 
The Wildcats are 8-0 against Northwest all-time.  They are 5-0 in Nicholson Pavilion.  The last meeting between the two sides came in 2012 and the Wildcats took an 89-52 victory.
 
The Wildcats' defensive ability has been touted this season and for good reason.  Central Washington enters the week ranked 34th in Division II in points allowed per game by holding opposing teams to just 54.2 points per game. The Wildcats have added 36 blocks (18 from Parker), 54 steals (20 from Edwards), and 188 defensive rebounds to their resume already.  Central has also pulled in 78 offensive rebounds, helping limit opportunities for opposing teams to score. 
 
The Wildcats' play has earned them a tie for the No. 10 spot in the NCAA Division II West Region Media Poll released on Dec. 8.
 
Freshman Mandy Steward has already left her mark on the Wildcats this season.  The Bellevue, Washington native is third on the team, averaging 9.1 points per game.  She is shooting 44.7% (12-27) from beyond the three-point line.  Steward has come off the bench in all seven games for Central, totaling 117 minutes.
 
Jasmin Edwards currently ranks among the best in the NCAA Division II in dishing out assists.  The Lynnwood, Washington native is averaging seven assists per game, putting her 5th in the nation.  She has recorded 49 assists and is averaging a team high 12.3 points per game.
 
Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. in Nicholson Pavilion.