Women's Basketball | 1/13/2016 10:58:00 AM

ELLENSBURG, Wash. (Jan. 13) – The Central Washington University women's basketball team hosts both Alaska schools in a pair of Great Northwest Athletic Conference games.  Anchorage comes into Ellensburg on Thursday (Jan. 14), before Fairbanks makes the journey to Nicholson on Saturday (Jan. 16).
 
The Seawolves enter the week with an 18-1 overall record with a 5-1 mark in the GNAC.  They are ranked No. 2 in the USA Today Coaches Poll.  On the road, Anchorage is 5-1 with the lone loss coming against Western in a 71-62 game. 
 
"Our number one focus is to have good competitive practices this week so we are prepared come game time," CWU Head Coach Jeff Harada said.  "We know they're one of the top teams in the country and we need to win the game before it's played and not just show up hoping to get a win."
 
Last week Anchorage recorded two wins over Western Oregon (90-39) and Concordia (76-49).  Averaging 84.9 points per game the Seawolves are the 5th scoring offense and by holding opposing teams to 53.4 points a game Anchorage is the 10th scoring defense. 
 
Megan Mullings leads the Seawolves offense averaging 16.8 points per game.  She is also the leading rebounder, pulling down 5.2 boards per game. Jenna Buchanan (13.6), Jessica Madison (11.3), and Keiahnna Engel (10.1) round out the double-digit scorers for Anchorage.
 
All-time the Wildcats are 13-22 against Anchorage, but have only won one game since 2007.  Central has lost the last five, but have won eight at Nicholson. The last win for Central came at UAA in 2013.
 
The Nanooks are 7-9 so far this season, including a 2-4 record against conference opponents.  Fairbanks ended a seven-game skid on January 2nd with a 75-66 GNAC win over Concordia.  The Nanooks followed that win with another against Western Oregon (75-55). 
 
Fairbanks is averaging 71.25 points per game, while allowing 73.63 points. 
 
Jordan Wilson leads the offensive output for the Nanooks with 17.4 points per game.  Stephanie Toumson is averaging 15.2 points and a team high 9.4 rebounds per game.  Jaylee Mays (12.6) and Kaillee Skjold (11.6) are also averaging double digits in scoring per game.
 
The Wildcats are 25-11 historically against the Nanooks.  Central has won just won in the last five meetings between the two sides, with the won coming last season in Ellensburg.
 
"These games are extremely important if we intend to make a run and separate ourselves from the pack," Harada noted.  "Getting wins against the top tier teams will also help in tie-breaker scenarios as well, but we are mostly focused on getting above .500 in league play and are taking it one game at a time. "
 
The Wildcats have been relentless on defense this season, taking away scoring opportunities all across the court.  No one has been more efficient, however, than center Jasmine Parker.  She swatted away five shots against Western alone, bringing her season total to 37 blocks.  Alexis Berrysmith has denied 17 shots, while the Wildcats have accumulated 68 so far on the campaign.
 
"We definitely need [Edwards and Parker] to be on their games for us to have a chance," Harada added.  "Jasmin has been shooting the ball well of late and has been really aggressive offensively, while Jasmine has elevated her game to a new level and is playing with the confidence and energy that we need from her."
 
Central's strong defensive play this season has netted them a 10-4 record overall and a 3-3 record in GNAC play.  The Wildcats are coming off a 67-56 victory over rival Western Washington, their first victory against the Vikings in eight seasons.
 
While the Wildcats have played strong defensively and had timely offensive output, it has not come from just one or two players.  It has been a team effort from the get-go and Coach Harada has instilled a "do your job" mentality.  If each player executes her assignment, Central is that much closer to success.
 
"It's pretty much been our message the entire year," Harada acknowledged.  "We aren't a one-man or two-man team and we need everyone to contribute and do their part whether it's in practice or a game. We've created a culture where each player is held accountable and their attitudes and actions, whether positive or negative will have some kind of impact on the team.  Our bench has been a big reason for our success and that needs to continue for us to make a run in GNAC play."
 
Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Thursday (Jan. 14) and 4 p.m. Saturday (Jan. 16).  Thursday is Hawaiian Night, with the first 1,000 fans getting a free lei.