ELLENSBURG, Wash.—The Central Washington women's basketball team bounced back with flare to exact revenge on the Griffins from Westminster (Utah), 83-71.
 
"Extremely proud of our team and how we responded to last week, and how we grew. We showed a lot of grit, toughness and growth. Westminster is a very talented and high-level program, they are going to win a lot of games this year so it was a big win for our young group." Said CWU Head Coach Randi Richardson-Thornley.
 
Kassidy Malcolm led the 'Cats with 25 points alongside Kizzah Maltezo with 23, and Samantha Bowman picked up her fourth double-double through five games.
 
"Kassidy Malcolm had an outstanding game shooting 70% from the field and defended all night long against one of the best four players at the Division II level. Kizzah Maltezo, Samantha Bowman, and Jenna Troy also stepped up in big moments to give us shots and play defense when we needed it."
 
The Wildcats were hot out of the gate picking up a hook shot from Samantha Bowman followed by a deep jumper from Jenna Troy to jump to a quick 5-0 lead.
 
The Griffins answerd quickly, picking up a pair of scores in the post with ease. 
 
Kassidy Malcolm answered on a slick pass from Claire Heitschmidt down low, and followed suit with a deep jumper from the left side just before the quarter ended. The 'Cats trailed by one, 21-22.
 
The three-point ball kept dropping for the 'Cats as Kizzah Maltezo and Kassidy Malcolm went back-to-back to jump into the lead with energy opening the second. 
 
Kizzah Maltezo began to cut loose, putting a pair of defenders on skates with a pair of step-back jumpers to help the 'Cats remain in front.
 
The Griffins continued to win the battle in the post, but could not seem to knock down jumpers from around the key. After cutting the 'Cats lead down to one, Samantha Bowman put up four-straight points on a layup and some free throws to keep the 'Cats ahead as the first half came to a close, 43-38.
 
The third quarter was all in favor of the 'Cats. Kassidy Malcolm picked up where she left off opening the half with five straight points on a big battle in the post, and another perfect shot from beyond the arc.
 
Jenna Troy jumped back in the action with a deep jumper from well beyond the arc, and the bench erupted. The 'Cats held the Griffins to only nine points in the third, holding the lead at 64-47.
 
A quite fourth quarter had its fair share of moments as Amanda Sisul came off the bench to hit a huge three near the corner.
 
Kizzah Maltezo and Samantha Bowman gave the 'Cats another pair of three points, and the 'Cats would score the rest on free throws to close it out.
 
The 'Cats exacted revenge taking down the Griffins 83 to 71.