ELLENSBURG, Wash. (Nov. 25) – Kassidy Malcolm's double-double led the Central Washington University women's basketball team to a 74-55 victory over Pacific Lutheran University.
The Wildcats move back to .500 at 3-3, while the Lutes marked the game an exhibition.
"This was a good game for us," CWU Head Coach Randi-Richardson said. "On the stat sheet it was a very good night. I think we could have been a lot better, however. All credit to PLU, they are a good team and made us press a bit to where we were missing layups and having to fight for loose balls."
Malcolm came off the bench and collected 12 rebounds, including five offensive boards, and 11 points. The Wildcats totaled 19 bench points, 63.2 percent of which came from Malcolm.
"That's huge for us," Richardson-Thornley said of Malcolm's double-double. "We need that kind of impact off the bench."
The Wildcats came out of the gates locked in, shooting 66.7 percent in the first quarter and scoring 31 points. The opening three minutes were relatively close, with each side routinely converting and bringing the score to 10-6 in favor of the Wildcats.
After a basket by the Lutes' Madison Salisbury, the Wildcats recorded the next five points with baskets from
Taylor Baird and
Jasmin Edwards, as well as a free throw from Edwards.
Taylor Shaw gave the Wildcats their first double-digit lead of the contest with 4:07 to play in the opening stanza on a three. The Lutes cut the Wildcats' advantage back to single digits on their next possession and held the score in single digits for the remainder of the quarter, culminating in a 31-22 score after the first period.
A three from Edwards gave the Wildcats another double-digit lead a minute and a half into the second quarter. Once again the Lutes responded, knocking down a trey and cutting their deficit to down to seven.
The high-scoring first quarter saw 53 combined points, while the second quarter was a much different story. The Lutes and Wildcats combined for just 23 points, with Central claiming a 12-11 advantage in the second stanza as both sides struggled from the floor. The Wildcats went into the locker room with a 43-33 advantage.
Central Washington's defense buckled in after the first quarter and allowed just 33 points in the following 30 minutes.
The Wildcats methodically extended their lead over the course of the final 20 minutes of play, extending their lead to 17 three times in the third quarter. A jumper from Edwards half way through the fourth quarter gave Central their first 20-point lead of the game. The Wildcats held their 20-point lead until a free throw in the final 30 seconds of play dipped their advantage back to 19.
As a unit, the Wildcats had 11 steals, six blocks, and 43 rebounds, of which 23 were offensive.
Kaelie Flores also recorded recorded a double-double, tallying 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Alexis Pana finished with a team high 14 points. She also added six assists and two boards. Edwards finished with 13 points, three assists, four rebounds, and four steals.
Sadie Mensing rounded out the double-digit scorers for Central, finishing with 12 points.
The Wildcats are back in action on Thursday (Nov. 30) for a road contest against Alaska Anchorage.
