Ellensburg, Wash. – After a slow first quarter, the Central Washington women's basketball team found their shot against the University of Alaska Fairbanks. The Wildcats downed the Nanooks 76-61 on Saturday night. 
 
The Wildcats (6-1, 1-1) trailed the Nanooks (3-5, 0-2) 26-22 with 2:12 remaining in the first half. After a pair of free-throws from Kassidy Malcolm, Brianna Phiakhamngon became the spark that the Wildcat offense needed. Phiakhamngon buried a three-pointer off an assist from Taylor Shaw. On the next trip down the floor, Phiakhamngon took it to the rack, finishing with a layup. Samantha Bowman would score on consecutive possessions, capping a 11-0 run to close out the half for the Wildcats. 
 
"I think our kids decided to play some defense and pick up the intensity on the defensive end of the floor," CWU head coach Randi Richardson-Thornley said. "A lot of that turned into some turnovers and fast break points, which immediately picks up the energy of everybody. It really was just our kids making a choice and not being complacent" 
 
The Wildcat offense was unstoppable in the third quarter. The team went 12-for-16 from the field, including a four-for-six effort from beyond the three-point line. With time expiring in the quarter, Pana pulled up from the right wing. She hoisted a three-point shot that banked home, giving the Wildcats a 63-45 lead going into the fourth quarter.  The Wildcats maintained a lead throughout the fourth quarter, cruising to a solid win. 
 
"We had Alexis come off of ball screens and make decisions," Richardson-Thornley said. "We decided to spread the floor, set a high ball screen and allow Lex to do what she does great. She had an outstanding third quarter and so did our team, which was great."  
 
Pana led the Wildcats with 19 points, six assists and five rebounds. Malcolm had an impressive night on the boards, pulling down a game-high 14 rebounds. The wildcats received excellent contributions from their bench, outscoring the Nanooks substitutions 23-11 for the game.  
 
"Our whole team came together when things weren't going our way," Pana said. "We really picked it up on the court, you could hear everybody talking to each other and I think that's what really got me going." 
 
The Wildcats have a week away from games before they return to action against the Academy of Art inside Nicholson Pavilion on December 10, at 7:00 p.m.