ELLENSBURG, Wash. (Jan. 21) – The Central Washington University women's basketball team defeated conference foe Western Oregon University, 52-37.  The Wildcats improved to 12-5 overall and 5-4 in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play.  Western Oregon is now 3-14 overall and 2-7 in GNAC play.
 
"Great defensive effort tonight and I was proud of the energy we brought on that end of the floor," CWU Head Coach Jeff Harada noted.  "We executed the scouting report and it definitely helped us win a game where we didn't shoot it particularly well after halftime."
 
Defensively, Central recorded seven steals and six blocks.  Melanie Valdez recorded three steals and a block, while Mandy Steward, Jasmine Parker, India Matheson, and Kortney Grattic each added a steal.  Parker also recorded two blocks. 
 
Alexis Berrysmith, JonNae Richardson, and McKenzie Day each swatted away a shot from a Western Oregon shooter. 
 
The Wildcats held the Wolves to a shooting percentage of 30.43, with the Wolves never shooting over 32 percent in a half.  Central also held the Wolves to under 10 points in the first and third quarters. 
 
From the floor, Central started strong in the first half with a shooting percentage of 53.85.  That number fell to just 33.3 percent in the second 20 minutes of play.
 
"We had good contributions tonight from our starters and our bench," Harada said.   "Road wins in the GNAC are not easy to get and we really had to battle until the end against a resilient WOU team. They're well coached and play hard.
 
Steward led the Wildcats in points with 12, finishing 5-for-11 from the floor.  Jasmin Edwards tallied eight points, seven rebounds, and four assists. 
 
Overall the Wildcats' bench chipped in for 25 points.  Central scored 24 points off of turnovers. 
 
"This team continues to grow and learning what it takes to win," Harada acknowledged. "Especially on the road is hopefully making us a smarter and tougher team."
 
The Wildcats look to build on their road success with another game away from home on Saturday.  Central travels to Portland, Oregon to face-off with first-year GNAC and NCAA Division II member Concordia University.  Tip-off is scheduled for 5:15 p.m.