Women's Basketball | 1/17/2018 3:55:00 PM

ELLENSBURG, Wash. (Jan. 17) – The first half of conference play is quickly approaching, as the Central Washington University women's basketball team takes on Simon Fraser and Western Washington at home in Nicholson Pavilion.
 
GAME INFO
Thursday at 7:00 p.m. vs Simon Fraser |  Live Stats/Video
Saturday at 7:00 p.m. vs Western Wash. | Live Stats/Video
 
QUOTABLE
"We are happy to be home this week for two big conference games," CWU Head Coach Randi Richardson-Thornley said.   "Simon Fraser and Western Washington are two great programs who have played teams very tough this first go around in the GNAC. I really feel both teams are capable to beating anyone in our conference on any night. We will have to bring our best on both sides of the ball but especially defensively. We need to learn from our defensive mistakes from last week and put together good defensive efforts both nights."
 
SCOUTING SIMON FRASER
The Clan sit at .500 overall, but are two games below the even mark in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play at 3-5.  They split last week's contests against Saint Martin's University and Seattle Pacific.
 
Nicole Vander Helm scored 23 points in the Clan's 71-52 victory over Saint Martin's, nearly her double her season average (13.1).  Just ahead of Vander Helm in scoring is the Clan's leading scorer Sophie Swant (13.3).  Swant also leads Simon Fraser in rebounding, hauling in 5.8 boards per game.
 
Away from home, Simon Fraser is a game under .500 (2-3) in true road games.  In conference, however, the Clan have managed just one win away from the friendly confines of West Gym.
 
Simon Fraser averages 70.3 points per game.  The Clan allow 68.1 points per game.  Opponents have outrebounded Simon Fraser 38-24 this season.
 
SCOUTING WESTERN WASHINGTON
The Vikings are 7-9 on the year and hold a 3-5 record in GNAC contests.  They have lost four of their last five outings, all four losses coming in conference games.  In conference losses this season, the Vikings have not scored more than 63 points.  In their three conference wins, however, the Vikings have not scored less than 69 points.
 
Hannah Stipanovich leads the Vikings in scoring, averaging 12.2 points per game.  Gracie Castaneda (11.3) and Dani Iwami (11.2) follow closely behind.  Ann Schwecke leads the rebounding efforts, hauling in 8.3 rebounds per game.
 
The Wildcats have not beaten Western Washington since 2015-16 in a 67-56 victory in Bellingham. The Wildcats have not recorded a win against the Vikings in Nicholson Pavilion since February 20, 2003, when they won 79-70.
 
LAST TIME OUT
Sadie Mensing led the Wildcats' offense with 20 points and seven rebounds in a 86-84 loss to Montana State Billings.  She also recorded a team high six assists.  Taylor Baird and Beverly Verduin each recorded 12 points, while Kalie Flores chipped in 11.  Flores also recorded seven rebounds.
 
The Wildcats finished 48.4 percent from the floor, including 10 made three's.  They hauled in 31 rebounds, three blocks, and six steals.  The Wildcats scored 14 points off of turnovers, 32 in the paint, and the bench chipped in for 25.  Central finished 14-for-21 from the charity stripe.
 
In the previous game, a 79-73 win over Northwest Nazarene, the Wildcats shot 46.8 percent from the floor, including a 54.8 clip in the first half.  Central scored 38 points in the first half, but did not get to the free throw line.  Alongside Edwards, four other Wildcats finished with 10 points or more.  It is the seventh consecutive game Edwards has tallied 10 or more points.  There have only been two games this season where Edwards has not reached double digits in scoring.  She is now averaging 13.9 points per game this season.
 
Beverly Verduin recorded 13 points, a career high, including a 3-for-4 effort from beyond the arc.  Alexis Pana also scored 13 and she shot 50 percent from the floor.  Kaelie Flores finished 5-for-7 from the field and compiled 11 points and seven rebounds.  Baird rounded out the double digit scorers for the Wildcats, as she scored 10 points and hauled in a team high nine rebounds.  The Wildcats notched six blocks, seven steals, and 40 rebounds.