ELLENSBURG, Wash. — The Central Washington University men's basketball team heads to Westminster College for a pair of games over Thanksgiving weekend.
GAME INFORMATION
Friday, November 26
At Westminster College
6:30 p.m.
Salt Lake City, Utah
Saturday, November 27
Vs Fort Lewis College
4:30 p.m.
Salt Lake City, Utah
QUOTABLE
"This past week has been a challenging one for the team," Head Coach Brandon Rinta said. "On Thanksgiving weekend we are definitely thankful to be playing games after not being able to play the three we had scheduled last weekend. We may not have everyone available or at 100-percent, but these games against Westminster and Fort Lewis are challenges this team is looking forward to. Both of these teams are quality D2 teams out of the RMAC conference."
SCOUTING WESTMINSTER
The host Griffins are 1-3 on the young season. Friday's contest against the 'Cats will serve as their home opener.
Yufus Mohamed leads Westminster in scoring, averaging 13.4 points per game. He's shooting 54.5 percent from the field and 63.6 percent from the charity stripe. He also leads the Griffins in rebounding, hauling in an even seven boards per game. A quarter of his 28 rebounds have come in the offensive end. Mohmaed has tallied five assists, two steals, and two blocks. Jarrett Jordan has started just one game for Westminster, but is second in scoring. He averages 12.5 points per game, while averaging 25.3 minutes per game off the bench. Jordan is shooting a n even 50 percent on the season.
As a unit, the Griffins are averaging 70.25 points per night and shooting 47.8 percent from the floor. They are shooting 35.2 percent from beyond the arc, having converted 25 of their 71 attempts. Westminster has produced a sizable advantage of their opposition in rebounding, hauling in seven more boards per game 35.8 to 27.3.
Central and Westminster last met on November 17, 2018. The Griffins sneaked out a 100-97 victory over the 'Cats in Salt Lake City.
SCOUTING FORT LEWIS
The Sky Hawks are 3-1 in 2021 and 1-1 in neutral games. They are a perfect 2-0 at home, however.
They have currently won back-to-back games over the University of the Southwest (N.M.) and Northern New Mexico College at the Nike N7 Games.
Leading the Sky Hawks' 91-point per night offense is Riley Farris. He's averaging 21.8 points per game and shooting 64.6 percent from the floor. He's also near perfect at the free throw line, knocking down all but two of his 22 attempts. Farris has dished out seven assists and nabbed two steals. He's also swatted six shots.
Akuel Kot (12.0), Will Wittman (11.3), Corey Seng (11.0), and Brendan Boatwright (10.8) are all averaging a double digit scoring effort. Both Kot and Wittman have served off the bench only. Kot averages 18.5 minutes a night, while Wittman adds 25.5. Kot leads the Sky Hawks in three-point attempts and is tied with Farris for the team-lead in conversions with nine.
As a unit, the Sky Hawks are shooting 50.6 percent from the floor and 32.1 percent from beyond the arc. Opponents are shooting just 45.7 percent from the floor, but have converted at a clip of 40.7 from deep, while scoring 78.75 points per night. Fort Lewis has out rebounded opponents 38.5 to 30.5.
THE WILDCATS
Central was not able to play their scheduled tournament games in Burnaby, British Columbia last weekend. The Wildcats are currently 1-1 on the season after the GNAC/CCAA crossover in Monterey Bay, California.
David Thompson leads the 'Cats in scoring, averaging 16 points per game. He's currently shooting 42.9 percent from the floor. Xavier Smith (13.5) and Matt Poquette (11.5) are also averaging double digits a night.
