SPOKANE, Wash.—The Central Washington women's basketball team fell to the Gonzaga Bulldogs in their final exhibition of the season.
 
"We learned some valuable things about ourselves today that we can use to improve moving forward. Proud of our efforts in the second half and how we grew from the first. Ready to get back home to Ellensburg and start preparing for two big games next week." Said CWU Head Coach Randi Richardson-Thornley.
 
A tough first period propelled the Bulldogs into a lead the 'Cats could not overcome. The opening quarter was all Gonzaga as shooting struggles resulted in Samantha Bowman scoring the only bucket for the 'Cats.
 
A bad pass by the Bulldogs gave the 'Cats a much-needed turnover leading to a layup by Samantha Bowman followed by the and-one bucket.
 
The 'Cats found some momentum in the second period, as a three-point jumper from the field by Tori Maeda and a jumper from Kizzah Maltezo cut into the Bulldogs lead, 28-8.
 
The Bulldogs extended their lead on a few more missed shots by the 'Cats, and Kassidy Malcolm sank a pair of free throws for the final points in the first half. The 'Cats went into half time trailing 45-10.
 
In the third period shots by the 'Cats began to fall as Tori Maeda landed one from the field. The Bulldogs found four more on a pair of layups, but Tori Maeda answered with jumper in the paint followed with a deep ball from beyond the arc. The 'Cats still trailed 53-17.
 
Late in the third period freshman Claire Heitschmidt came off of the bench and landed a big three-point ball for the 'Cats to slowdown the Bulldogs. Kizzah Maltezo navigated through the Bulldog defense to make a big layup off a turnover the give the 'Cats their final bucket of the third period.
 
The Bulldogs led after three periods, 65-22.
 
The 'Cats offense began to click in the final period. Samantha Bowman went back-to-back with three-point jumpers to quickly give the 'Cats six. After a Bulldog jumper on a turnover, Jenna Troy found the basket from beyond the arc on a pass from Tori Maeda.
 
Freshman Amanda Sisul finally saw action she landed a single free throw and followed it up with a jumper just outside the box.
 
Shaylee Coulter-Faamafu came off the bench and provided a steal followed by another jumper just outside the paint. Claire Heitschimdt followed suit with a jumper in the paint and the 'Cats were behind 75-38.
 
Former Ellensburg Bulldog turned Wildcat Brinley Hagemeier came off of the bench and provided the 'Cats with their final shot from the field with a jumper beyond the arc.
 
Amanda Sisul landed a free throw for the final score of the game as the 'Cats fell to the Bulldogs, 78-42.
 
The 'Cats next match is November 12^th, at Stanislaus for the GNAC-CCAA West Region crossover.