LACEY, Wash. (Jan. 28) – The Central Washington University women's basketball team picked up a victory over Saint Martin's University by a score of 52-40.  The Wildcats are now 14-5 on the season overall and 7-4 in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference, with an 8-1 record away from Nicholson Pavilion.  Saint Martin's moves to 5-13 overall and 3-8 in GNAC play.

"First off I'm very proud of our effort defensively," CWU Head Coach Jeff Harada said. "It was a big game from Mel [Valdez] and Jasmine [Parker] to hold their top two scorers to two field goals on the night.  They were challenged to step up and they did.  It is a testament to this team to be able to come in to a tough road environment and get another win.  Saint Martin's really forces you to make reads and decisions offensively and we made enough plays to win."
 
The Wildcats opened the game with a 5-0 run, keeping the Saints off the board for the first three and a half minutes of play. 
 
The Saints battled throughout the first half, pulling the score within one and taking a two point lead with 9:10 remaining in the second quarter, before Central reclaimed the lead and extended their advantage to six late in the second .

With 9.2 seconds remaining in the first half, Central held a 26-20 lead.  Saint Martin's head coach Tim Healy was assessed a technical foul, sending Mandy Steward to the line for the Wildcats.  Steward converted both of her free throw attempts and CWU took possession again.  As time expired in the first half, Steward drained a three, putting Central up by 11.
 
Central took a 31-20 lead into the locker room.  Steward and Melanie Valdez finished the first half with eight points each.
 
Steward finished with 13 points and five rebounds.  Valdez tallied 10 points, eight boards, and three assists.
 
Both Jasmine Parker and Jasmin Edwards dished out four assists.  Parker added three blocks.
 
The Wildcats' defense proved a tough opponent all game for Saint Martin's, but none more than in the opening five minutes of the third quarter.  Central's ninth ranked defense kept the Saints off the board in the opening five minutes of the third act.
 
Central led by as many as 13 points in the third quarter, but the Saints cut their deficit to eight points for the final 10 minutes, but were not able to overcome the Wildcats.
 
It is the eighth time this season the Wildcats have held opponents to under 50 points and the fourth time opponents have scored 40 or less.
 
Central finished 12-for-13 from the charity stripe, while shooting 57.1 percent from beyond the arc, and 36.7 percent overall.  The Wildcats' defense held Saint Martin's to a shooting percentage of 25 from the floor, including a 3-for-15 mark from three-point land.
 
Another big night for the Wildcats' bench, totaling 25 points.  The Wildcats took advantage of turnovers, netting 13 points off the Saints' errors. 

"Our bench came up big and gave us good energy," Harada added.  "India and McKenzie Day gave us good minutes on both ends and Mandy shot it well for us with some timely threes.  It's just a gritty effort overall and I'm really proud of our team effort.  They realize how important each game is and they're focused to keep our winning streak going."
 
The Wildcats will be back in action on Saturday (Jan. 30) in Seattle to take on GNAC foe Seattle Pacific.  Tip-off Is scheduled for 5 p.m.