ELLENSBURG, Wash. – Central Washington University women's basketball picked up win No. 12 of the season with a 71-62 home win on Saturday against Montana State Billings. With the win the Wildcats improve to 12-8 overall and 7-5 in the GNAC.

The Wildcats (12-8, 7-5 GNAC) managed to tie the season series with MSU Billings (10-11, 5-7 GNAC) with the help of their reserves outscored the Yellowjackets bench 25-7. Of those 25 points 22 came from Samantha Bowman alone who was the game's leading scorer.

As a team, CWU shot 43.4% for the game and was 35% from deep for the night. The 'Jackets managed to shoot 44.1% for the contest and were 31.8% from deep. The Wildcats trailed early in the game but outscored the 'Jackets in every quarter to start their three-game homestand on a high note.

"I'm really pleased with how the team responded after Tuesday's game," CWU Head Coach Randi Richardson-Thornley said. "Defensively, our key was to have good help, especially in the paint. We were also able to rotate out of that and help on the three. Offensively, we shared the ball and were patient on offense."

Pace was quick in the game's opening minutes. A triple from Flores early on gave CWU a 5-3 lead, but the Yellowjackets answered on the next possession with contested layup to tie it at 5-all.

A driving layup from Taylor Shaw on the following possession helped the Wildcats score four unanswered and at the 4:48 mark of the opening quarter, they held a 9-5 lead. Despite the early lead, the game continued to move at a high tempo.

The 'Jackets continued to stay within striking distance of the Wildcats going into the end of the first but shooting kept the home team in front. A triple from Bowman with under two minutes to play made it 13-8. MSU Billings then closed the final minute of the quarter on a 4-0 run to make it 13-12.

With a one-point lead, CWU had six first quarter points from Bowman, while the team shot 33.3% on 5-15 made shots. The 'Jackets were just 31.3% from the floor on 5-16 made shots.

Kaelie Flores pushed the Wildcats lead back to four with a deep triple after a clean find from Tori Maeda. The Wildcats managed to jump in front 16-12 early in the frame. Two possession later another three, this time from Alexis Pana, gave CWU a 21-14 advantage.

The Wildcats managed to lead by as much as eight, which they had at the media timeout, 24-18. The 'Jackets fought to stay in the game and found a groove after the media timeout. They cut CWU's lead to one, 24-21, with over three minutes to play until the break.

The Wildcats responded scoring six unanswered to go up 30-23. MSU Billings then ended the final 1:30 of the quarter with a 4-0 run. CWU led 30-27 at halftime but both squads braced for what was an exciting second half of basketball.

The 'Jackets had the edge in points in the paint, 18-10, at the break, but the CWU reserves won the scoring battle 12-0. Of those 12 points, 11 came from Bowman who shot 4-6 in the first half in 12 minutes of play off the bench.
The Wildcats came out fast once again to start the third scoring the first six points. The surge gave the Crimson and Black a 36-27 lead forcing MSU Billings to call a timeout with 7:33 to play in the quarter.

MSU Billings looked to keep up with the Wildcats but each time the home team had an answer. CWU led 42-31 with just under 4:30 to play in the third. 4-8 made shots at that point by the Wildcats help them maintain their double figure lead.

The Wildcats slowed down the pace in the final four minutes of the third and went into the fourth holding a 49-38 lead over the 'Jackets. Helping the Wildcats stay in front by double figures was a triple from Flores right as the clock expired. 

A 5-0 run by MSU Billings made it a 49-43 game right away but a driving Flores layup ended the short run and kept the Wildcats in front by eight, 51-43. The 'Jackets answered making shots but CWU maintained the lead for the entirety of the fourth. Pana pushed the Crimson and Black lead back to 10, 55-45, with 6:22 to play in regulation thanks to a pair of clutch free throws.

The game got close as it reached the final 3:30 to play. Both teams got a bit scattered giving up a few turnovers. CWU called timeout with 3:23 to play in the game and clung to a 57-51 advantage.

The 'Jackets looked to force pressure defensively, but it was the clutch shooting and rebounding of Kassidy Malcolm and the help of the Wildcats overall play in the game's final minutes that helped the Crimson and Black secure the redemption win. 

Bowman led all scorers with 22 on 9-12 made shots. She also had three steals and a pair of blocks. Malcolm poured in 15 points and grabbed 13 boards for a double-double performance. Flores added 11 points and Pana chipped in 10 to round out the double-digit scorers. Pana also had a game-high six assists.

"I knew we needed to rebound and that's what I tried to do," Malcolm said. "I tried to get every board for my team. That's my roll and it was working for me. I thought the team we played together and played team defense. We played together on offense, gave the extra pass and were able to share the love." 

The Wildcats are back on their home floor next Thursday, Feb. 6 when they host Alaska Fairbanks. Tip-off against the Nanooks is set for 5:15 p.m.