FAIRBANKS, Alaska (Dec. 2) – Sadie Mensing led a quartet of Wildcat with double-digit scoring efforts as the Central Washington University women's basketball team defeated the University of Alaska, 81-72.

The Wildcats improve to 4-4 overall and 1-1 in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play.  The Nanooks fall to 2-4 overall and also 1-1 in GNAC competition.

"Our guards did a better job attacking and making good decisions tonight while still looking after ball," CWU Head Coach Randi Richardson-Thornley said.  "We weren't perfect defensively, but I'm proud of how our kids found ways to make plays down the stretch.  We had multiple players step up and make plays when we needed them.  I'm happy for this senior group to get their first win up here in Alaska."
 
Mensing led the Wildcats with 17 points, while Alexis Pana chipped in 16, Taylor Baird added 11, and Jasmin Edwards notched 10.
 
The Wildcats held a 14-6 lead after the first period.  A 6-6 tie was lifted with a layup from Baird, sparking a 7-0 run containing Baird's layup, a free throw from Mensing, and threes from Taylor Shaw and Pana.
 
Pana then hit a three early in the second quarter, giving the Wildcats their first double-digit lead at 18-10.
 
Alaska closed the gap, shrinking Central's advantage to just 20-17, but a free throw from Baird and a bucket form Shaw gave the Wildcats breathing room.
 
 The Nanooks closed the gap once more, this time cutting the Wildcats' lead to just one, 23-22.  A three from Shaw and baskets from Baird and Pana kept the lead in Wildcat hands.  Rachel Lorentson's three with 19 seconds remaining in the second gave the Wildcats a 34-28 lead heading into the locker room.
 
The Wildcats opened the third quarter on a 7-2 run, taking a 41-30 lead.  Central held their double-digit lead until a jumper from Lexi Carpenter brought the score to 54-46.  Carpenter finished with 32 points, a team high.
 
In the final stanza, the Wildcats lead hovered near double-digits as the Wildcats offense outlasted Fairbanks. 
 
The Wildcats outscored or tied the Nanooks in all but one quarter.  The bench combined for 23 points and the Wildcats scored 30 points in the paint.  They also scored 18 points off of turnovers.  Baird led the Wildcats in rebounding, hauling in nine. In the second half, the Wildcats shot 94 percent from the free throw line.
 
Central Washington is back in action on Tuesday (Dec. 12) for a trip to the Golden State against the Academy of Art University.  Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m.