TURLOCK, Calif.—The Central Washington women's basketball team opened their regular season with a 67-66 win over Stanislaus at the CCAA-GNAC Crossover, 67-66.  

"Happy to get a win on a night where our performance didn't match the effort. Shooting 19% from the three, 50% from the free throw line, and 23 turn overs are not going to cut it in terms of getting the win. This is a learning experience for our young team of what it looks like to play on the road in the west region. We are going to have to grow from this game and come back better tomorrow against a good East Bay team." Said CWU Head Coach Randi Richardson-Thornley.

A strong night from Samantha Bowman who posted a double-double on 23 points and 22 steals alongside Kassidy Malcolm who posted 17 points and 9 rebounds was the difference for the 'Cats.

"Sam had a huge night. Proud of her effort on the boards and defensively in the second half after getting foul trouble. Kass also had a good night with 17 and 9. It's these types of games you need your best players to step up and give you something you can hang on to and Sam did that. Two of our best players stepped up and that was the difference for us."

Samantha Bowman got the game started with the first bucket of the match on a layup assisted from Kassidy Malcolm.

The Warriors managed to tack on a few early, but a layup from Kiera Bush and a jumper from beyond the arc by Valerie Huerta had the 'Cats up 9-3.

A pair of free throws allowed the Warriors to close the gap, but back-to-back three-point balls from Kizzah Maltezo and Kassidy Malcolm followed by a pair of layups from Samantha Bowman extended the 'Cats lead, 21-9.

Jenna Troy landed a free throw and the 'Cats closed out the opening quarter in front, 22-14.

Samantha Bowman drained an early bucket in the second quarter, but the Warriors found their stride and began to stifle the 'Cats.

The Warriors went on a 13-4 to take the lead at 28-26, but Kizzah Maltezo reignited the offense with a drive to the basket for the equalizer.

Samantha Bowman and Kizzah Maltezo went back-to-back with pairs of layups, and Kassidy Malcolm followed suit to recapture the lead, 36-30.

Kiera Bush drained a free throw after a layup from Kassidy Malcolm to close out the half with the 'Cats leading 39-34.

The Warriors came out strong to open the second half, but Kizzah Maltezo slowed them down with a jumper keeping the 'Cats in front 41-37.

Jenna Troy landed a deep ball from beyond the arc, but the Warriors found their groove and retook the lead on a pair of free throws. The 'Cats trailed 44-46.

Valerie Huerta landed a free throw late in the third quarter to end a nine-point scoring run by the Warriors. Freshman Amanda Sisul came in, and with a drive to the basket gave the 'Cats an equalizer at 48.

Samantha Bowman went back-to-back on layups with a free throw to give the 'Cats a 55-52 lead at the end of the third.

It was the Kassidy Malcolm show to open the fourth. A pair of free throws gave the 'Cats their opening points of the quarter, but Kassidy Malcolm found the lane on back-to-back possessions to extend the 'Cats lead 61-57.

Samantha Bowman continued to dominate the post, and another pair of back-to-back layups re-extended the 'Cats lead 65-59 with 5:15 left to play.

The Warriors began to make a push, but freshman Valerie Huerta sank a jumper in the lane to keep the 'Cats ahead 67-61.

The Warriors made one final push, draining a jumper and a deep ball from beyond the arc to come within one, but the 'Cats held them off in the final seconds to take the win, 67-66.