Seattle, Wash. (Nov 17) – The Central Washington University men's basketball team (2-2) took on Westminster College (1-1) in their second game of the Sodexo Classic hosted by Seattle Pacific. The Wildcats fell in overtime, 100-97.
 
The first half saw nearly 100 points between the two teams as it was back and forth for the first 20 minutes. Central lead for 16 minutes in the first half however, staking out a seven-point advantage. For the second consecutive game, Malik Montoya led the Wildcats in scoring with 24 points.  Montoya added five rebounds, three assists, and two steals to his evening.. Montoya helped lead the Wildcats to a 68 percent clip from the field in the first half, making all four of his shots.
 
"That was as physical a game we have played all year," CWU Head Coach Brandon Rinta said afterward.  "We knew it was going to be like that. We had our chanced to pull that out. We had some guys step up and make big plays throughout the game. Unfortunately, we weren't able to rebound well enough to earn the win. I thought Malik [Montoya] played really well this whole weekend. Hayden Nelson came in and gave us some great minutes tonight too."
 
A three from Westminster's James Jasper Wall with just one second left in the first stanza cut the Wildcats' lead to one, 45-44.
 
Malcolm Cola extended the Wildcat lead back to four on the first shot of the second half, knocking down a jumper for a 47-44 lead.
 
A see-saw battle erupted with both teams jostling for momentum and the lead.  Despite the shifting momentum, Central never fell more than six points behind the Griffins. The Wildcats tied the game after a clutch shot from Gamaun Boykin with 42 seconds left in regulation. After getting a turnover overturned, neither team could capitalize and take the lead before time expired.
 
With five extra minutes of play time, the Griffins jumped out to a quick four-point lead. A three from Montoya put the Crimson and Black within one, 87-86, before a jumper from Joonas Tahvanainen enlarged the Griffins' lead to three. 
 
Boykin hit a jumper with 2:40 to play in the first overtime period, bringing Central within one.  He sunk a free throw, levelling the score at 89-89. 
 
A pair of free throws from Westminster's Alec Monson put the Griffins back up by two, 91-89.  Matt Poquette levelled the score once more, hitting a layup in the paint.  Tahvanainen came knocked down a free throw for a 92-91 advantage before the Griffins extended their lead to 95-91.
 
Jackson Price was sent to the line for a trio of shots, knocking down all of them, to put the Crimson and Black down by one. 
 
Both teams continued to make their way to the line for the remaining 20 seconds of play with the Griffins clinging to the lead for a 100-97 victory.
 
Central travels back home for their next matchup against Evergreen State College on Wednesday November 21 at 7:30 p.m. in Nicholson Pavilion.