ELLENSBURG, Wash. — The Central Washington University men's basketball team won their home opener against Pacific Lutheran University, 82-60.
The Wildcats (5-2, 1-1 GNAC) had been on the road for their first seven games of the season after playing Lincoln (CA) in an exhibition. The Lutes marked tonight's game as an exhibition.
"It felt good to be home," CWU Head Coach Brandon Rinta said afterward. "It felt a little weird, honestly, that's as long as I have ever been out on the road. Felt good to be in our locker room and out on our court. We appreciate the fans that came out tonight and supported us."
Four Wildcats scored at least 10 points. David Thompson led the 'Cats with 18, while Marqus Gilson put up 17. Xavier Smith tallied a dozen and Matt Poquette recorded 11. Gilson finished 8-for-11 from the field, while Thompson was 9-for-14. Gilson and Micah Pollard both recorded a team-high six rebounds. Central had just six free throws, four of them coming from Smith who finished a perfect 4-for-4 at the line. Thompson also led the Wildcats with four of Central's 13 assists.
Defensively, Pollard recorded a team-high three steals. Gilson swatted a pair of shots as the Wildcats held the Lutes to a shooting percentage of 42.6. Pacific Lutheran went 5-for-24 from beyond the arc, including a 1-for-11 mark in the first half.
The Crimson and Black scored 54 points in the paint and 19 off turnovers. Central's bench chipped in 19 points, including an emphatic dunk from David Lindgren in the game's final minutes.
A three from Shaden Knight midway through the first half gave the 'Cats the lead, 20-18, and the Crimson and Black never relinquished it. Smith knocked down a pair of free throws with just under four minutes to play, giving Central the first double-digit lead of the night.
Back-to-back jumpers from Thompson sent the 'Cats into the locker room with a 46-28 advantage at the half.
The Lutes controlled the first five minutes of the second stanza, dropping Central's lead to four, 50-46. The Wildcats scored the next eight points before Tyler Ashmore knocked down a shot from deep for the Lutes. Gilson responded with a three of his own before Pollard scored consecutive buckets in the paint, taking the wind out of Pacific Lutheran's sails.
"PLU is a solid team," Rinta added. "They're one of the better teams the Northwest Conference and they showed it. They came out in the second half and there were some minutes they were the better team. I give our guys credit, they tightened up defensively and made some adjustments which allowed us to get some runs."
Galvanized by regaining control, Central extended their lead to 20 with just under three minutes to play. The Lutes dipped the deficit under 20 twice, but a bucket from Colby Gennett pushed the lead back to 20.
Central Washington has a quick turnaround. They host Walla Walla University on Monday (Dec. 13). Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 PM.
