SEATTLE, Wash.—The Central Washington women's basketball team opened their 2021-22 season taking down the Redhawks from Seattle on their home court.
 
Kizzah Maltezos 23 points and a team shooting percentage of 40% from beyond the arc allowed the 'Cats to shoot down the Redhawks.
 
"Extremely proud of the resilience and toughness of our team tonight. We showed growth in big ways in our leadership and our underclassmen. I'm proud of the steps we are taking forward and the buy in that's being created. We still have aways to go, but I'm happy our ladies got this win and can build some confidence moving forward towards are challenging non-conference schedule that's ahead." Said CWU Head Coach Randi Richardson-Thornley. 
 
The 'Cats offense opened their season with who other than senior Kassidy Malcolm with a deep ball from beyond the arc. The Redhawks answered quickly with a few jumpers around the paint, but another deep ball from Samantha Bowman kept it tied 6-6.
 
The Redhawk offense found some footing and quickly retook the lead and extended it out, 11-9. "Sunshine" Valerie Huerta landed a jumper just outside of the paint, and Kassidy Malcolm provided five more with a jumper on a fast break and another deep-ball off of a steal and the 'Cats were back in front, 16-14.
 
Jenna Troy found a bucket with a jumper in the paint early in the second period, and long three from Kizzah Maltezo on a fast-break kept the 'Cats in front 24-16.
 
The Redhawk offense found their stride, and retook the lead at 27-26 before the 'Cats answered and found an equalizer at 33-33 on a jumper from Jenna Troy on yet another Redhawk turnover.
 
With only 0:04 on the clock before the half, freshman Claire Heitschmidt drained a deep ball on a pass from Tori Maeda to give the 'Cats the lead, 36-34.
 
The 'Cats came out in the second half firing on all cylinders. Kassidy Malcolm drained the deep ball and the and-one for a four-point play, and Kizzah Maltezo followed suit with back-to-back jumpers to give them their largest lead of the night, 44-35.
 
The Redhawks found an answer with a tip-in layup and a pair of jumpers to force equalizers at 44-44 and 46-46.
 
The 'Cats offense found themselves giving a few more fouls than they would have liked, allowing the Redhawks to take advantage and retake a five-point lead, 58-53. The 'Cats struggled early in the fourth, allowing the Redhawks to hold the five-point lead at 61-56 with 8:34 to go.
 
After Kizzah Maltezo began to find her stride on a pair of jumpers and a free throw, Samantha Bowman and Jenna Troy put up a pair of deuces putting the 'Cats back in the driver's seat, 68-65.
 
The 'Cats would not allow the Redhawks to find an equalizer for the reminder of the game, and four-consecutive free throws from Samantha Bowman shut the doors on the season opener. The 'Cats took the game, 78-72.

Their next game is Saturday, November 6th, at Gonzaga in Spokane with a 2:00 PM tip-off time.