SEATTLE – Central Washington University women's basketball dropped a close exhibition contest Tuesday night on the road. The Wildcats led for much of the night but fell 75-65 to the Seattle University Redhawks.

The win pushed Seattle's record to 2-5 as they managed to make a late run to secure the 10-point win at home against the Wildcats. Despite the late run, CWU was able to maintain a lead for much of the night. CWU led for the majority of the night, but late surges by Seattle helped them secure a home win.

"I'm really pleased with how our team came out and competed and the improvements we saw from this week's work in practice," CWU Head Coach Randi Richardson-Thornley said. "We wore down a bit in the second half and Seattle U hit some big shots down the stretch. However, even given the result, our team got better tonight and that's what we wanted."
 
Defense played a role in the early going of the contest, but the Crimson and Black led 8-7 at the midway point of the opening frame. The Redhawks looked to answer and stay within reach for much of the first half, but the Wildcats were able stay in front.
 
The Wildcats patience on offense paid off as they held a three-point lead over Seattle U. Leading 19-16, the Wildcats made sure they stayed in front. The Redhawks did not allow CWU to create separation midway through the second frame.
 
Helping the Wildcats maintain a 21-20 lead with 7:11 on the clock in the first half was the offensive fight of Alexis Pana. The senior has eight points to keep the Wildcats in the driver seat for much of the first half. Pana finished with 11 points in the first half as CWU held a 31-25 lead at the break.
 
The Wildcats biggest advantage was a 10-5 edge in points off turnovers. The Redhawks managed to stay in the contest with a 16-10 edge in points in the paint.
 
CWU managed to outscore Seattle U in the first half, but each quarter of the second half belonged to them as they outscored the Wildcats 51-34 to secure the 10-point win at home. CWU scored 17 points in each quarter but was outscored in both.
 
The Wildcats led by as much as nine points in the third quarter, but small surges kept the Redhawks within striking distance. CWU battled the whole 10 minutes but Seattle U managed to cut its deficit to one point, 48-47, going into the final frame.
 
CWU led 52-47 early in the fourth quarter but an 8-0 run from the Redhawks helped them jump out to a 57-52 lead. The Wildcats kept things close from that point but never managed to regain a lead as they fell by 10 on the road.
 
Brianna Phiakhamngon led the Wildcats in scoring with 18 points on 6-8 shooting. Two other players scored in double figures in Pana and Samantha Bowman. Pana added 16 points on 6-13 shooting, while Bowman when 4-11 to chip in 12 points. Bowman added six rebounds in the game as well.
 
CWU finished the game shooting 48.1% from the floor (25-52) and held the Redhawks to 42.2% shooting on 27-64 made shots. Seattle's bench made a difference outscoring 19-6. Points in the paint also went in favor the Redhawks, 40-26.
 
The Wildcats are back in action this weekend for a pair of games at the MSU Denver Holiday Day Inn Cherry Creek Classic. CWU will play Colorado Christian Nov. 29 and MSU Denver Nov. 30. Both games will tip-off at 3 p.m. PT.