ELLENSBURG, Wash. (Feb. 19) — Gary Jacobs and Devin Matthews combined for 23 second-half points in the Central Washington University men's basketball 80-67 win over the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) on Thursday in Nicholson Pavilion.

After trailing by as many as five points early on, CWU went on a 10-2 run with 3:53 left in in the first-half. But UAA guard Dom Hunter would answer with three consecutive three-point shots to put the Seawolves ahead 32-31 at halftime.

"[We] struggled early in the first half," said CWU men's head basketball coach Greg Sparling. "But in the second half, we challenged our guys to get in the paint and they did a good job inside and out."

Central would claw back in a brilliant defensive effort, holding the Seawolves scoreless until 14:44 in the second half. Both teams would trade baskets until Jacobs and Matthews came off the bench, scoring 23 of the Wildcats final 49 points. 

"When I came in at halftime, I just wanted to make sure I came in with energy and did whatever I could do to help my team win," Matthews said.

Jacobs added, "My teammates were out there just telling me to lock in and make a run in the second half to win this game and I did just that."

Central shot 64 percent from the field in the second half, outscoring the Seawolves 28-24 in the paint and 14-7 in fast-break points.  

Senior guard Dom Williams led the Wildcats with 26 points and four assists. 

With the victory win, the Wildcats moved into a three-way tie with UAA and Seattle Pacific University for second in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) men's basketball race. The Wildcats improved to 10-5 in conference play and 15-7 overall.

"I think we can beat any team in this league," Matthews added. "At this point, it's win or go home. That's how we're taking it."

Next up for the Wildcats is University of Alaska Fairbanks on Saturday. 

"Next game is even bigger," Jacobs commented. "We're just trying to lock down the second seed for the first round of the tournament."

Sparling added that despite Thursday's win, the Wildcats have a big game ahead of them. 

"It's huge," said Sparling talking about UAF on Saturday. "We're going to have to defend and create points off of our defense."

The game will tip-off at 7:30 p.m. It will also be Senior Night, as seniors Dom Williams and Julian Vaughn will be recognized before their final games in Nicholson Pavilion.