Ellensburg, Wash. (Feb. 16) – The Central Washington University men's basketball team (10-14. 4-12) fell to the University of Alaska Anchorage (13-11-8-8), 92-85, in a Great Northwest Athletic Conference matchup.
 
The Wildcats came out with back-to-back treys from Naim Ladd and Zellie Hudson for a 6-0 lead.  Central held the lead until a layup from Tyler Brimhall knotted the score at 10-10.  Brennan Rymer gave the Seawolves their first lead of the contest with a three moments later.
 
"My teammates were looking for me, I was hitting shots and being aggressive off the drive when the lane was open," Zellie Hudson said. "I was able to get the ball to my open teammates and they got it back to me as well." 
 
Anchorage extended their lead to double digits midway through the first half, 28-18.  The Wildcats chipped away, dropping the deficit to three, 30-27, with 6:39 on the clock.  The Seawolves extended their lead back to double digits with another three from Rymer, 45-34.  Anchorage took a 49-36 advantage into the locker room at halftime. 
 
Central shot just 42.4 percent from the field, while Anchorage compiled a 57.6 shooting percentage from the field. 
 
"We got to be better defensively," CWU head coach Brandon Rinta said. "We allowed them to shoot 55 percent from the floor. It's difficult against a team like that, they're good. Rymer was incredible tonight. Anytime you let a guy score 30 points, grab nine rebounds and have nine assists, you're making it tough on yourself."
 
The Wildcats outscored Anchorage in the second half, 49-43, and shot 55.2 percent from the field.
 
"I thought our energy was still good tonight, we got to keep that moving forward," Rinta said. "We're still trying to take steps. Hopefully we can on the road against Concordia on Thursday." 
 
Anchorage gained its largest lead of the game with 11:56 remaining in the second half.  A layup from Keenan Dowell extended the advantage to 66-48, an 18-point advantage. 
 
The Crimson and Black once again began chipping away at the Seawolves' lead.  They whittled I down to single digits with a three from Lewis Pope with 1:12 to play in regulation.
 
After a free throw from Jack MacDonald, Malik Montoya cut through the lane for a layup.  Hudson then hit a three after a free throw from Brimhall, bringing the Wildcats' deficit to 86-81.
 
A pair of free throws from Matt Poquette brought Central within three, 86-83, but the Seawolves held onto their lead for a 92-85 victory.
 
Central Washington is back in action on Thursday (Feb. 21) as the Crimson and Black travel to Portland, Oregon for a GNAC contest against Concordia (Ore.).  Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.