Central Washington University Athletics

Game Information: St. Cloud State vs. Central Washington
Friday, Nov. 16 | 7:30 p.m. PST
Ellensburg, Wash. | Nicholson Pavilion 
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Game Information: CSU San Bernardino vs. Central Washington
Saturday, Nov. 17 | 7:30 p.m. PST
Ellensburg, Wash. | Nicholson Pavilion 
Watch | Live Stats

TIP-OFF
The Central Washington University women's basketball returns to Nicholson Pavilion this Friday as they host St. Cloud State. Then on Saturday, the team takes on CSU San Bernardino. Both games are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. starts. 

SCOUTING THE OPPONENT
St. Cloud State
The Huskies were one of the better teams in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference during 2017-2018 season. They went 17-10, going 14-8 in conference play. The Huskies were in the top half of their conference. They averaged just 64.4 points per game, allowing opponents 60 points per game. The shot 41.1 percent from the field, hitting 192 three-pointers. 

Tori Wortz returns as the team's leading scorer. She averaged 10.1 points per game, while shooting 41.9 percent from the field. Madelin Damman is the team's best three-point shooter. She made 37 of her 81 attempts a season ago.

CSU San Bernardino
The Coyotes struggled at times during the 2017-2018 season, sporting an 11-15 record while going 9-13 in conference play. They allowed opponents to score 61.9 points per game while averaging just over a point less of offense. They did not shoot well from deep, hitting just 28.3 percent of their attempts.

They were picked to finish 11th out of 13 teams in the California Collegiate Athletic Association preseason coaches' poll. Arianna Knox averaged the most points per game of any returning player with 9.6. She can knock down three-pointer, making 30.3 percent of her attempts a season ago. Knox was also able to pull down a team high 169 rebounds. She'll be a player to focus on for the Wildcat defense.

LAST TIME OUT
The Central Washington University women's basketball team opened their season in successful fashion, taking down the Cal State Monterey Bay Otters 70-54 last Friday afternoon. 

The Wildcat offense was humming to open the contest against the Otters. The Wildcats outscored the Otters 22-8 in the first quarter. It was a balanced attack, as seven Wildcats scored in the quarter. The Otters were able to cut the lead to 10 in the second quarter. That's where the lead would stay for the Wildcats, as they carried a 37-27 lead into halftime. They'd hang out to the lead to complete a convincing win. 

A trio of Wildcats scored in double figures on their way to victory. Taylor Shaw led her team with 18 points on an efficient six-for-10 shooting performance. Known for her shooting, Shaw buried three three-point buckets. Sadie Mensing added 15 points of her own. She went seven-for-10 from the field, adding six rebounds and three assists. Alexis Pana scored 10 points. She attacked the basket, earning trips to the free-throw line. She went five-for-seven from the charity stripe. Pana dished out a game-high seven assists. 

Last Saturday, the Wildcats pummeled the Stanislaus State Warriors 94-59 while shooting 66.7 percent from the field. The win was aided by a pair of monster runs that lasted the entirety of the second and fourth quarter. The game was close after the first period, with the Wildcats leading 22-20. They'd go on to score 23 points in the second quarter, holding the Warriors to just four points. The Wildcats flexed their muscle again in the fourth quarter, doubling the Warriors point total. The Wildcats outscored the Warriors 25-12. 

Shaw led all scorers with 28 points, going nine-for-12 from the field including seven three-pointers. She pulled down four rebounds, dished out three assists and nabbed two steals. Shaw aided the team in shooting 63.6 percent from deep, going 14-for-22 for the game. 

FROM THE COACH
""This is another great opportunity to play two good teams and continue to take steps forward as group," head coach Randi Richardson-Thornley said. "We've had a good week of practice and the girls know the importance of coming out and setting the tone in both of these games in order to protect our home court." 

NEXT TIME OUT
The Wildcats host a Holy Names on November 21 at 5:15 p.m. inside Nicholson Pavilion.