ELLENSBURG, Wash. (Feb. 18) – Jasmine Parker tallied her 1,000^th career point, but the Wildcats could not overcome Concordia University in a 61-59 defeat.  Central falls to 15-9 overall and 8-9 in Great Northwest Athletic Conference games.  Concordia moves 6-19 and 4-13 in GNAC contests.
 
"Definitely a tough one to swallow tonight," CWU Head Coach Jeff Harada said.  "Being at home, I expected us to come out with more energy, especially knowing how important each game is from here on out. Credit Concordia because they wanted it a little more than we did and executed when they needed to. Unfortunately, we didn't step up to the challenge and as the head coach, I take responsibility for that." 
 
Parker scored her 1,000^th point of her career with the opening bucket of the third quarter.
 
"Happy for Jasmine and her accomplishment," Harada acknowledged.   "She had a good week of practice and it carried over to tonight."
 
She finished with 13 points, one block, and four rebounds.
 
The Cavaliers posted a 18-16 lead after the opening ten minutes, but a jumper by Parker leveled the score in the second quarter at 20-20.
 
A free throw by Mandy Steward and a jumper by Jasmin Edwards gave the Wildcats a 23-20 lead.
 
Sierra Dean tied the game at 31-31 with a last second shot in the second quarter.
 
Dean finished with 13 points and five turnovers.
 
The Wildcats pulled ahead to a 37-31 lead with 7:22 remaining in the third quarter with a pair of free throws by Edwards.
 
Danielle Hartzog leveled the score at 37-37 a few minutes alter.  The Cavaliers then took a three-point lead that was wiped by a layup by India Matheson and a free throw by Sadie Mensing.  Mensing's second free throw put the Wildcats up by one, 41-40.
 
Lexi Campbell immediately reclaimed the lead for Concordia with a three, 43-41.
 
The two sides traded buckets and the score found its way back to even, 45-45, at the end of the third quarter.
 
The see-saw battle continued throughout the fourth quarter.  Concordia took a pair of leads that the Wildcats eliminated shortly thereafter.
 
A layup by Dean put The Cavaliers up 50-48 with 7:46 remaining and Concordia did not look back.  The Cavaliers took a six-point lead with 53 seconds left in regulation before Central began mounting a comeback.
 
Matheson hit a layup with 42 seconds remaining and Beverly Verduin knocked a down a bucket with just 13 seconds left, cutting the deficit to two.
 
"India was big in the post and because she was patient with her moves so she was a lot more effective," Harada added.
 
Cavaliers head coach Sean Kelly called a timeout to advance the ball across center court and forced the Wildcats to foul Dean.  Dean missed both free throws in the double-bonus, but the Cavaliers stood fast and did not allow the Wildcats to get a shot off and preserved their victory.
 
"We have to forget this one and prepare for Western Oregon," Harada stated.  "How we respond on Saturday will test the character of this team." 
 
The Wildcats will be back in action on Saturday (Feb. 20) against Western Oregon.  Tip-off is scheduled for 4 p.m.