NAMPA, IDAHO — The Central Washington University (8-5, 1-4 GNAC) men's basketball team held on for a 72-70 victory over Northwest Nazarene University (4-6, 1-4 GNAC) for its first GNAC victory of the season.

Kevin Baker shot 60 percent from the floor and led the Wildcats' offense with 22 points.  He added six rebounds, two of which were offensive boards.

The Nighthawks and Wildcats struggled to swing momentum to their side early in the contest, trading buckets and the lead.  Through the first 11 minutes of play, Northwest Nazarene led 20-17.  Jumpers from Tariq Woody and Davon Bolton put the Wildcats within one, 22-21, with 8:00 remaining in the first half.  A pair of free throws from Baker gave Central a 23-22 advantage.

Bolton nabbed the rebound on the defensive half of the court after the Nighthawks' next shot and found Baker for a trey, extending the lead to 26-22.  Northwest Nazarene kept chipping away at the Wildcats' lead and tied the score later in the first half, 34-34, before a three from Jeryn Lucas gave Central another three-point advantage.

With just 29 seconds left in the first half, a jumper from NNU's Zac Ferguson cut the Wildcats' lead to one, 37-36, as the teams headed into the locker room for halftime.

Baker had 10 points and three rebounds in the first half.  Bolton recorded seven points and five boards.  The Crimson and Black shot an even 50 percent from the floor, including a 5-11 mark from beyond the arc.  They were a perfect 4-for-4 at the free throw line.  

Central extended its lead to five early in the second half with a free throw from Smith and a three from Baker.  The Nighthawks once again fought to snuff out the 'Cats lead, but Central was there to answer.  With 14:38 left in regulation, the Crimson and Black held a 49-43 lead.

Northwest Nazarene kept plugging away and kept the game within reach.  The Nighthawks eventually leveled the score at 52-52 with just 9:11 left in regulation.  They reclaimed a slim two-point lead, 54-52.

The Wildcats answered immediately.  Baker knocked down a pair of free throws, but Northwests Nazarene again took the lead, 56-54.  After the media timeout, Lucas knocked down a pair at the charity stripe.  On the Nighthawks' next possession, they missed a dunk to go ahead.  Matt Poquette grabbed the rebound and the Wildcats made good on Northwest Nazarene's missed shot, as Bolton knocked down a jumper in the paint for a 58-56 advantage.  

A pair of jumpers from NNU put the Nighthawks back in the driver's seat 60-58, but Gamaun Boykin leveled the score with 4:51 to play.  After a jumper from NNU's Olamilekan Adetunji, Lucas responded with a jumper of his own.  With just three minutes left in regulation, Baker put the Wildcats ahead for the final time with a trey, 65-64.  On the next possession for Northwest Nazarene, Boykin notched a steal and took it himself to the rim for a layup and a 67-64 lead.

After a free throw from Adetunji made the game a one-possession contest, a jumper from Bolton put Central ahead 69-65 with 46 seconds to play.  Adetunji knocked down a rare three for NNU, cutting Central's lead to one.

The ensuing inbound saw Jayden Bezzant foul Bolton to conserve what little time was left on the clock for the Nighthawks, but Bolton converted on both of his shots from the charity stripe with 13 seconds left.

Trailing by three as time waned, the Nighthawks looked to tie the game once more and force overtime.  Central's defense patrolled the arc tightly, denying the Nighthawks' chances to fire off a shot from distance.  Bezzant drove the lane and converted the layup, making the separation just one point, 71-70.  Northwest Nazarene managed to foul Xavier Smith with just over a second on the clock, sending Smith to the line.  He made the first as the Wildcats held on for a 72-70 victory.

"Proud of how hard these guys fought for this one tonight," CWU Head Coach Brandon Rinta said. "Our execution on both ends of the floor was consistent enough to earn a road win.  Kevin and Davon came up with some big buckets and rebounds.  The crew we had in there for the last four minutes came up with some big stops."

Central finished with a shooting percentage of 48.1, including a 44.4 percent success rate from beyond the arc.  They also converted 14 of 18 chances at the charity stripe.  Bolton finished with 13 points, while Lucas added 11, and Smith finished with 10.  Both Baker and Bolton finished with six rebounds.  Central out rebounded Northwest Nazarene 31-29.  The Wildcats' reserves chipped in 23 points.  The Wildcats scored 29 points in the paint and 10 points off of turnovers.

The Crimson and Black are back in action on Saturday (Jan. 11) as they travel to Montana State Billings for a GNAC matchup.  Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. MT (6:00 p.m. PT).