Ellensburg, Wash. (Nov. 21) – The Central Washington University women's basketball team (5-0) heads into the Thanksgiving break after picking up an 82-70 win over Holy Names (0-5). 
 
"Proud our kids," CWU Head Coach Randi Richardson-Thornley said afterward.  "Wes struggled tonight from beyond the arc, so we had to figure out another way to score.  We went to the paint and scored 54 points.  We've been shooting the ball pretty well this year from the three, so finding a way to get into the paint and score layups was nice to see."
 
The Wildcats went on a 9-3 in the first 1:58 of the opening quarter. Kassidy Malcolm score four points within that run before it was capped by a three-pointer from Alexis Pana. She hit another three that gave the Wildcats a 19-13 lead with 2:45 left in the first quarter. The Hawks cut the lead to one before Taylor Shaw drilled a three-pointer with three seconds left, giving the Wildcats a 24-20 lead after one quarter. 
 
The Crimson and Black offense shifted gears, using the fast break to their advantage. They led 30-26 before going on an 11-2 run that lasted 3:24. Kaelie Flores took control of the game during that span. She scored eight points, six of which came in consecutive trips down the floor. The Wildcat offense hit a cold patch for the remainder of the quarter, failing to hit one of their six three-point attempts. Regardless, the Wildcats carried a 44-34 lead into halftime. 
 
The third quarter featured more early offense for the Wildcats. The led 60-48with 3:42 left in the quarter. The Hawks' Ariana Hernandez seven consecutive points for her team during her middle part of the third quarter. It propelled the Hawks to close the gap created by the Wildcats. After three quarters, the Wildcats led 62-54 over the Hawks. 
 
Opening the fourth quarter with an eight-point lead, the Wildcats went back to work.  They exchanged baskets with the Hawks as the Crimson and Black's lead ebbed and flowed from six to 10 throughout the fourth quarter.  A jumper from Brianna Phiakhamngon with 4:05 left in regulation extended Central's lead to 10 and the 'Cats kept control from there on. 
 
Malcolm finished with 12 points and 18 rebounds, securing back-to-back double-doubles on the year.  In the Wildcats' last game against Cal State San Bernardino, Malcolm finished with 16 points and 10 boards. 
 
"Coach told me to go after the rebounds tonight," Malcolm said.  "And that's what I did, I went after every board I could.  We worked together well tonight on defense and we were able to get the win.  It feels really good to be heading into Thanksgiving 5-0."
 
The Crimson and Black dominated the paint, scoring 54 points to Holy Names 32 paint points.  The Wildcats' reserves scored 27 points, while Central held the Hawks' bench to just eight points.   
 
The Wildcats are back in action on Thursday (Nov. 29) as they host the University of Alaska Anchorage in their GNAC opener.  Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.