Women's Basketball | 1/4/2017 2:31:00 PM

ELLENSBURG, Wash. (Jan. 4) – The Central Washington University women's basketball team takes on Simon Fraser University and Western Washington University in a pair of Great Northwest Athletic Conference matchups this week.
 
"What an exciting week we have coming up," CWU Head Coach Jeff Harada said.  "Two of the top teams in the conference and the nation coming in to our place.  As a competitor, it doesn't get any better than that."
 
The Wildcats earned their first win in GNAC play last week over Saint Martin's, 78-70.  Central Washington is currently 1-3 in the GNAC with a 6-6 overall record.  At home in Nicholson Pavilion, the Wildcats are 1-3.
 
Simon Fraser University sits at 12-2 overall and 3-1 in GNAC play.  The Clan have won four straight contests, after falling to the University of Alaska Anchorage on Nov. 30.  Away from home, the Clan have posted a 4-1 record.
 
In that stretch, the Clan have scored over 70 points each night out, including scoring 80 against Concordia (Ore.).  Simon Fraser is averaging 71.3 points per game, while holding opponents to just 62.1.  From the field, the Clan are shooting 41.9 percent.
 
Meg Wilson leads the offensive efforts for the Clan, averaging 13.6 points and 5.1 rebounds per game.  Elisa Homer (12) and Ellen Kett (10) are also averaging double-digit scoring efforts.  Kett leads Simon Fraser in rebounding, pulling in 5.8 boards per game.
 
"Simon Fraser is really big in the post and they have multiple players who can shoot the three," Harada noted.  "Wilson is having a solid year and her ability to play inside and out makes her a tough matchup."
 
Not only is Wilson leading the Clan in scoring, but she is connecting on 44.9 percent of her shots.  Wilson is only converting on 69.2 percent of her free throws.  She is second on the Clan in blocks with 13.
 
The Clan have not been on the road since the opening weekend of GNAC play on Nov. 30 and Dec. 3.  The Wildcats and Clan split the season series last year, with each team snagging a victory on the road.  Thursday's game is scheduled for 7 p.m.
 
Western Washington has posted a 9-3 record thus far on the year and the Vikings are 3-1 in GNAC competition.  In their last five outings, the Vikings are 3-2 and have won their last three.  Western has only played two true road games and has split, 1-1.
 
The Vikings are averaging 79.5 points per game and have held opponents to just 60.  They have outscored their opponents 456-316 in the first 20 minutes of play.  While they outscore the opposition in every quarter, the margin in the first half of play has been substantial.
 
"Western is a very experienced team with the leading scorer in the league in Taylor Peacocke," Harada noted.  "She's putting up a ton of points every night so we'll have to find a way to slow her down."
 
Peacocke was named the GNAC Women's Basketball Offensive Player of the Week after averaging 29 points last week for the Vikings.  On the season, she is averaging 23.5 points a game.  She fairs slightly better in conference play, boasting 26 points per game.
 
Kiana Gandy (13.7) and Tia Briggs (11.2) are also averaging 10 or more points a game.  Briggs leads the Vikings rebounding efforts, pulling in 6.8 boards per game.
 
The Wildcats ended 2015-16 with a 1-1 season split against Western Washington.  Tip-off is scheduled for 5 p.m. on Saturday (Jan. 7).
 
"Both teams will provide different challenges and have more than one player who can hurt you so we'll have to rise to the occasion as a team and play our best basketball."
 
Live stats and video will be available through wildcatsports.com.  Tip-off against Simon Fraser is set for 7 p.m. on Thursday (Jan. 5), while Saturday's (Jan. 7) game against Western Washington begins at 5 p.m.