ELLENSBURG, Wash. (Jan. 23) – Jasmine Parker led the Central Washington University women's basketball team to a 62-55 victory over Concordia University.  The win brings Central's record to 13-5 overall and 6-4 in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference.  The Cavaliers fall to 4-14 with a 2-8 record in the GNAC.
 
"Really happy to get out of here with a win against a tough and scrappy Concordia team," CWU Head Coach Jeff Harada said.  "Great effort tonight from our players to get two big wins on the road, I'm really proud of them."
 
Parker finished with a career high 27 points.  She shot 7-for-11 from the field and 13-for-15 from the charity stripe.  In addition to her offensive night, Parker added 11 rebounds, two assists, and four blocks.
 
"Jasmine was really aggressive offensively and, along with Alexis, was a force on defense as well, blocking and changing shots for us tonight," Harada added.
 
In the opening two minutes Parker swatted away a pair of shots by Keesha Sarman and Erin Higbie.  Alexis Berrysmith also picked up a trio of blocks in the first 180 seconds on shots by Lexi Campbell and two from Bailey Cartwright.
 
The Wildcats held a 16-15 lead after the first quarter, but Concordia reclaimed a slim advantage on its opening possession in the second frame.  The seesaw battle continued in the second quarter, as the Wildcats picked up a pair of leads and the Cavaliers pulled level each time. 
 
Central gained space with 3:52 remaining in the period on a layup by Rachel Lorentson that followed a bucket and free throw by Parker, giving Central a 28-23 advantage. 
 
The Wildcats went into halftime with a 32-28 lead.  They did not relinquish their lead for the remainder of the contest, extending the gap to double digits on multiple occasions.
 
Central recorded 24 points in the paint, including 10 in the opening quarter.
 
The Wildcats went to the line 37 times and converted on 29 shots.
 
"A lot of fouls and free throws tonight and we stepped up and made enough of them," Harada noted.  "We've kind of struggled from the line as of late and that was a focus of ours tonight.  We make them in practice and today it finally carried over to the game."
 
The 78.4 percent of made free throws is the Wildcats' highest percentage since Nov. 25, when they shot 88.9 percent against Whitworth. 
 
"Overall, a big win and more importantly gives us sole possession of fourth place in the conference," Harada said.
 
The win pushes Central past Simon Fraser in the GNAC standings.  The Clan are 5-5 in conference, while Central is 6-4.  The Wildcats are two games behind 8-2 Western Washington for third.
 
A pair of road games awaits the Wildcats next with games at Saint Martin's and Seattle Pacific.  Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Thursday in Lacey, while Saturday's game will begin at 5 p.m. in Seattle.