Nampa, Idaho (FEB. 18) - The Central Washington University women's basketball team's defense challenged No. 7 Northwest Nazarene, but it wasn't enough as they fell 65-56 to the Nighthawks on Monday night. 

"Extremely proud of the improvements we saw from game one to game two," CWU head coach Randi Richardson-Thornley said. "Our effort on defense and on the boards was great and a major improvement." 

Defense was the theme for both the Wildcats (15-8, 10-6) and Nighthawks (23-1, 15-1). The Wildcats suppressed the potent Nighthawk offense, holding them to 21 points below their season average. The Wildcats turned the ball over 23 times during the game. The Nighthawks turned defense into offense through the game, scoring 22 points off turnovers. 

The Wildcats experienced a cold start offensively against the Nighthawks. Kailie Flores made the Wildcats' second shot of the game on a turn around jump shot with 4:48 left in the first quarter. The Nighthawks gained their advantage from the three-point line, knocking down all four of their attempts while the Wildcats made just two in the first quarter. The Wildcats followed 18-9 with 1:38 left in the opening quarter. The team went on a 7-2 run, cutting the Nighthawk lead to 20-16. 

The Nighthawks grew their lead to eight with 7:05 left in the second quarter. The Wildcats went on an 11-5 run in the remainder of the first half. Taylor Shaw made five points during the run. At halftime, Shaw led all players with 10 points as the Wildcats trailed 33-31. 

Alexis Pana accumulated a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds in the third quarter. The Wildcats chased seven points heading into the fourth quarter, as the Nighthawks led 47-40. 

The Wildcats erased the deficit in the first five minutes of the fourth quarter. Sadie Mensing sank a jump shot that capped an 11-4 run. The Nighthawks responded by scoring four quick points, leading 57-51 with 4:26 left to play. They Nighthawks hung onto their lead to take the game 65-56. 

"NNU is a great team who knows how to dictate the pace and get teams out of rhythm on offense and that's exactly what they did tonight," Richardson said. "Credit to them for their defense and hitting big shots down the stretch." 

Pana was fabulous for the Wildcats, tying Kassidy Malcolm with a game-high 14 points. Both finished the double-doubles, as Pana led everyone with 12 rebounds. Malcolm pulled in 10 rebounds, accruing her seventh double-double of the season. Shaw was the only other Wildcat in double-figures with 11 points. The Wildcats struggled from three-point range, going 4-for-20 for the game. Shaw made two of the team's four three-pointers. 

The Wildcats return to Nicholson Pavilion for a rivalry game against Western Washington on Thursday. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.