ELLENSBURG, Wash. (Nov. 11) – The Central Washington University women's basketball team dropped a tight contest to Hawaii Pacific University, 77-68.
The Wildcats are now 1-1 on the year, as are the Sharks.
"I was really proud of our effort tonight, HPU is a very good team," CWU Head Coach
Randi Richardson-Thornley said. "We did a good job of pushing the ball and playing the style we wanted to play. At times we settled for okay shots, rather than letting our offense do the work for great shots. It is hard to win a game when you turn the ball over 17 times. I was really proud of our efforts on the boards, especially with 20 offensive rebounds."
The Sharks opened the game with a 9-0 run before
Taylor Baird got the Wildcats on the board with a free throw. Hawaii Pacific held the lead until a three by
Kaelie Flores brought the game level at 24-24 with 7:33 remaining in the second quarter.
Flores finished with 11 points and 10 rebounds for a double-double, en route to being named the Red Lion Inn Player of the Game.
The Sharks offense once again went to work, pulling ahead by nine with 1:06 to play in the second quarter. They went into the half with a 44-37 advantage.
The Wildcats wiped the Sharks' lead away midway through the third quarter on a layup from Flores after
Alexis Pana levelled the score with a three. Central's lead did not last long, as Brittany Allen knocked down a three for a 51-50 HPU lead.
Central Washington took the lead again in the fourth quarter, this time off a layup by
Sadie Mensing. The Wildcats' 59-58 lead came with 7:41 to play in regulation.
The Sharks tied the game at 60 before briefly taking a one-point lead that the Wildcats erased on a layup from
Sarah McGee. Allen connected on another three, however, to retake the lead in favor of Hawaii Pacific, 64-62.
Hawaii Pacific held on 77-68.
Mensing finished with 18 points and five rebounds. Edwards notched 12 points, eight assists, and five rebounds. Baird also finished with double digit points, notching 11 points and eight rebounds. The Wildcats outrebounded the Sharks 56-42, including hauling in 20 offensive rebounds. The Sharks, however, recorded 14 second chance points on only 13 offensive rebounds.
"They were able to capitalize more on the effort plays," Richardson-Thornley added. "Our effort was there, but it didn't always lead to production. I am, however, very happy with our effort."
The Wildcats are back in play on Friday (Nov. 17) in Colorado as they take on Colorado School of Mines and Metro State.
