Women's Basketball | 1/25/2017 5:16:00 PM

ELLENSBURG, Wash. (Jan. 25) – The Central Washington University women's basketball team starts the second half of the Great Northwest Athletic Conference season at home, with a pair of games against Saint Martin's and Seattle Pacific.
 
"Definitely excited to start the second half of league play with two really competitive games this week," CWU Head Coach Jeff Harada said.  "We've had some really great practices this week with high energy and effort so it tells me that our players are ready to get back on the court and bounce back from last Saturday's tough loss."
 
The Wildcats split last week, picking up a much needed win against Western Oregon before losing a close battle against Concordia (Ore.).   
 
"We watched the film and saw the little things that we need to fix and be more consistent at doing right," Harada added.  "I thought we did those things in practice and hopefully it'll transition over to the games." 
 
Last time out against Saint Martin's the Wildcats notched a 78-70 victory in Lacey.  The Saints are 5-13 overall and 1-9 in GNAC play.  They have not won a game on the road yet this season (0-7).  The Saints are last in the conference table.
 
"The GNAC is so tough from top to bottom and there's never an easy game," Harada noted.  "Despite Saint Martin's record we are not fooled by it because we know how good of a team they are.  Elin Johansson is as good a post as anyone in our league and Hannah Reynolds has really stepped up her game, especially her scoring in conference play."
 
Johnansson averages 13.1 points per game and 6.1 rebounds.  As a team, the Saints are being outscored 69-60.  They are shooting 37.5 percent from the floor and 31.9 percent from beyond the arc.
 
The Wildcats then take on Seattle Pacific University on Saturday (Jan. 28).  After a hot 10-0 start, the Falcons are now 13-5 overall and 5-5 in GNAC outings.  In non-conference games, SPU is 8-0.  The Falcons currently hold the fourth spot in the conference table.
 
"SPU is very talented," Harada noted.  "Courtney Hollander and Jordan McPhee are as good as advertised and their depth makes them such a tough team to prepare for.  You try and limit those two, but you can't allow other players to have career nights."
 
Hollander averages a team high 12 points per game, while McPhee compliments her by adding 11.1 points per game.  The Falcons are outscoring their opponents, 68-56, and are shooting 41.1 percent from the field.
 
 
"The second half of conference play is always a challenge because now that we've played everyone once, we know what to expect so it's figuring out what adjustments to mak," Harada finished.  "Obviously our record isn't what we want it to be, but we have the opportunity to change that and our season so it's definitely a big week for us."   
 
Tip-off is scheduled for 5:15 p.m. on both Thursday and Saturday.  Live stats and video are available at wildcatsports.com