ELLENSBURG, Wash. (Dec. 31) – The Central Washington University women's basketball team dropped a tightly contested game to Great Northwest Athletic Conference foe Seattle Pacific University, 52-49.  The Falcons move to 6-4 overall and 2-0 in GNAC play.  The Wildcats fall to 8-3 with a 1-2 mark in GNAC contests.
 
"What a battle and a great game," CWU Head Coach Jeff Harada said.  "Very low scoring and both teams played great defense.  Just quarter-to-quarter, the momentum swings went back and forth."
 
The two sides seemingly switched from hot to cold with each quarter.  Neither team shooting above 33.3 percent in the first or third quarter, but both posted over 38 percent in the second and fourth quarters. 
 
Central shot 9-for-16 from the field in the second and 5-for-8 in the fourth, finishing the contest with a 46.4 field goal percentage. 
 
After a 9-8 first quarter SPU and CWU posted a 21-12 score in the second, bringing the game to a 29-21 at the end of the first half. 
 
The Falcons then outscored the Wildcats in the next two periods, 13-7 and 18-13, including drawing even thrice in the fourth quarter.  With 5:53 left in regulation, the Falcons leveled the score at 40-40, but fell behind 47-42 after a three-pointer by Mandy Steward, two free throws from India Matheson, and a layup by Steward.
 
Courtney Hollander's three with 50 seconds on the clock drew the game even for a final time.  Jasmin Edwards converted a layup with 14 seconds left, giving CWU a 49-47 lead.
 
"It was a tight fourth quarter and they hit a couple shots at the end and out-executed us," Harada added.  "I think we had a chance to win it, but we missed one."
 
Jordan McPhee received a pass from Brianne Lasconia with just four ticks in regulation remaining and made a three-point shot, putting the Falcons ahead 50-49.
 
Harada then called a timeout to draw up his team's play.  The Wildcats could not convert on the opportunity, missing a layup, which sealed the game for Seattle Pacific.
 
"It didn't come down to that play," Harada said.  "If we make our free throws in the third quarter and not give up 17 offensive rebounds we win the game.
 
The Wildcats' struggled at the free throw line, converting just five of 14 shots from the charity stripe.
 
"It's the small things that determined the outcome of the game; I hope we learned that tonight," Harada acknowledged.  "It's going to take doing the little things right to win the big games."
 
Alexis Berrysmith and Steward led the Wildcats with 12 points each.  Jasmine Parker picked up 11 points and 11 rebounds.  Edwards added 10 points and three assists.
 
The Wildcats will be back in action on Saturday (Jan. 2) as they face-off against GNAC for Saint Martin's University.  Tip-off is scheduled for 5:15 p.m.