ELLENSBURG, Wash. – The Central Washington University men's basketball team (5-1) rolled to an 82-67 victory over Corban University (6-4).
 
"I thought we found the level of energy needed defensively towards the end of the first half," CWU Head Coach Brandon Rinta said afterward.  "The first 10 minutes of the second half was the best of the game and allowed us to create a little distance.  Corban was a good team tonight and shot it well.  I don't think we defended like we are capable of at the beginning of the game.  I thought Davon and Amari played well tonight.  It's good to see them getting in a rhythym and, as you can see and as we can talk about every game, it's another guy stepping up.  Different guys in double digits on different nights.  I thought those two did a good job of finding their spots and knocking down shots.  I thought Micah, for the second game in a row, brought in some good energy and rebounded well."
 
Davon Bolton scored 18 points to pace the Wildcats in the first half. 
 
The Wildcats scored the first points of the game, but Central Washington and Corban traded baskets for the majority of the early going until the Wildcats haled a 14-10 lead thanks to a pair of threes and steals. 
 
Corban gained its only lead of the game with 9:17 to play.  A three from Jake Estep put the Warriors ahead 27-26.  Nearly three minutes later, after a pair of free throws from Gamaun Boykin, a three from Bolton reestablished the lead in favor of the Crimson and Black, 31-29.
 
The Warriors scored just two points from 9:16 to 1:48, allowing the Wildcats' lead to extend their lead to 37-29.  Amari Stafford had the final bucket of the run for Central, capping it with a layup.  Mauricio Smith finally ended the drought for the Warriors, hitting a three with just 1:47 to play in the opening stanza.
 
The Crimson and Black recorded six steals in the first half, while the Warriors managed just two.  Corban also had a total of 10 turnovers in the opening period.  The Warriors still shot 46.2 percent from the floor, behind Central's 51.4 percent.  Both teams made four treys, but it was the turnover differential and seven-minute defensive scoreless streak which allowed the Wildcats to extend their lead to double digits.
 
Central Washington went into the locker room at halftime with a 44-33 advantage.
 
By 13:13 of the second half, the Wildcats had already doubled their lead to 62-40.  Central outscored Corban 18-7 in the opening seven minutes of play in the second half.
 
A three from Jeryn Lucas gave the Wildcat a 25-point lead, 65-40, with 12:49 to play in regulation.  The Wildcats' lead remained above 20 until a pair of free throws with 10:13 to play dipped their advantage to 19.  It hovered near 20 until just under three minutes remaining.  A three from Stafford put CWU up by 21, 82-61, before a pair of Corban jumpers dropped the lead back under 20. 
 
The Wildcats scored 24 points off of turnovers, including 14 in the first half.  They also outscored the Warriors 42-24 in the paint.  Bolton finished with 18 points, all coming in the first half.  Stafford finished with 15, while Matt Poquette chipped in 11.  Tariq Woody rounded out double digit scorers for the Crimson and Black with 10 points. 
 
Central Washington is back in action on Thursday (Dec. 5) when the 'Cats host Seattle Pacific.  Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.