Women's Basketball | 11/28/2016 12:32:00 PM
ELLENSBURG, Wash.- The Central Washington University women's basketball team opens its Great Northwest Athletic Conference schedule with a pair of games this week. The Wildcats will travel to Nampa, Idaho to face off against Northwest Nazarene (2-2) on Tuesday before hosting Montana State University Billings (2-5) on Saturday.
The Crusaders enter the week with a 2-2 record and are on a two-game losing streak. Both of their losses came this past weekend at the Wildcat Thanksgiving Classic against Hawaii Pacific (77-91) and Cal State San Bernardino (69-73). NNU started off their 2016-17 campaign with big victories against Westminster College (84-68) and the College of Idaho (99-95). McKenna Walker is averaging 12 points per game to lead NNU's offensive attack. Colette Gall is the Crusader's leading rebounder, hauling in 5.8 boards a game.
The Wildcats are 10-27 all-time against Northwest Nazarene. Central split their games against NNU last season, with both teams coming away with a home victory.
Montana State Billings has scored more than 70 points once, tallying 72 agaisnt Cal State San Marcos on Nov. 12. Tiana Hanson leads MSUB with 15.6 points per game and is averaging a team-high 5.6 rebounds.
The Yellowjackets are averaging 60.9 points per game this season, shooting 0.376 from the floor. MSUB's defense has allowed 72.1 points per game is being out rebounded 26.6-36.4.
Central is 10-23 all-time against MSUB, losing seven of the last nine meetings. Last season, the Wildcats split with MSUB after pulling out a victory at home.
The Wildcats offense is led by
Taylor Baird, who is currently averaging 14.7 points per contest. Baird is also averaging a team high 9.6 rebounds per game.
Jasmin Edwards is averaging 11.4 points, 5.1 assists, and 4.4 rebounds per game.
Central Washington has held opponents to 52.1 points per game and a shooting percentage of just .338. The Wildcats are taking advantage of opportunities at the free throw line, converting nearly 75 percent of their shots.
Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Tuesday in Nampa, Idaho. The Wildcats play Montana State University Billings at 5:15 p.m. Saturday at Nicholson Pavilion
-CWU-
