BELLINGHAM, Wash. (Feb. 18) – The Central Washington University men's basketball team defeated Western Washington University 73-68 Thursday evening at Whatcom Community College and moved into fourth place in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference standings.
 
The Wildcats improve to 16-6 on the season and 11-6 in GNAC play.  Western Washington dropped its fifth-straight game and are now 14-12 on the season, 8-9 in the GNAC.
 
Both teams made 27 baskets on the night with CWU holding a slight 42.9 to 40.3 edge in shooting percentage.  Although the Vikings made four more three pointers than the Wildcats on the evening, CWU sank 13 of 16 from the free throw line while WWU was just 6 for 16 from the stripe.
 
"We missed some good shots, but we rebounded well on the offensive end and were able to gain some extra possesions," CWU Assistant Coach Drew Harris said.  "Most importantly we made our free throws in the second half and down the stretch which separated from our opponent."
 
Joseph Stroud recorded a double double with 16 points and 11 rebounds to lead CWU, followed by Naim Ladd and Terry Dawn who scored 12 and 10 points respectively.
 
Gary Jacobs had a well-rounded game for the Wildcats with nine points, nine assists and seven rebounds.  Jacobs, who logged 39 minutes, also has the job of guarding Viking guard Ricardo Maxwell who scored just seven points in the game.  In the last meeting Maxwell torched the Wildcats for 31 points.
 
"Jacobs' defense was one of the big reasons for our win tonight," Harris said.  "Maxwell scored at will in our last matchup, but tonight Jacobs made it difficult for him to find a rhythm.  Jacobs made some early adjustments that paid off in the end."
 
After a five-point halftime lead, the Wildcats opened the second half on a 7-2 run to open the second half and led 41-31 early in the half.  Western Washington responded with a 10-0 run to tie the game at 43-43.
 
The Vikings held a brief one-point lead with 6:43 remaining, but a technical foul on WWU's Trey Dreschsel led to two made free throws by Joey Roppo, giving the Wildcats a one point lead that they wouldn't relinquish.  The Wildcats made all 11 free throw attempts in the second half, including four in the final 11 minutes to secure the 73-68 victory.
 
Kyle Impero led the Vikings with 21 points and 15 rebounds.  Brad Wallace added 19 points and Drechsel had 10.
 
The Wildcats will look to continue their success on Saturday when they play Simon Fraser in Burnaby, British Columbia at 3:00 p.m.