NAMPA, Idaho.—The Central Washington women's basketball team dropped a close game with the Nighthawks at Northwest Nazarene, 59-61.

"We didnt deserve to win that game. We turned the ball over too much and allowed for NNU to play into their style of play in the second half, and that gave them confidence. Credit to NNU for dictating the game in the second half." Said CWU Head Coach Randi Richardson-Thornley. 

Valerie Huerta found the 'Cats opening basket with an open jumper at the baseline.

The Nighthawks found a pair of looks on miscue's by the 'Cats, but Samantha Bowman won one-on-one down low to keep Central within one, 10-9.

Samantha Bowman found an open jumper for the final bucket of the opening quarter with the 'Cats ahead 15-13.

It was a quite four minutes to open the second quarter with the Nighthawks knocking down an open jumper and a pair of free throws.

Samantha Bowman got hot out of nowhere, putting up 11 points in the span of three minutes. Kizzah Maltezo fed off the energy going up and under down low with the left hand for the final score of the half. Central led 33-23 after two.

The 'Cats spent just over an entire quarters worth with the lead in the opening half at 10:42.

Kassidy Malcolm opened the third quarter with an open layup on a fast break.

The Nighthawks defense applied a full-court press forcing a pair of turnovers and a five-point run. Claire Heitschmidt came off the bench and drained a big three at the top of the key to push the lead back out to ten. Central led 42-32.

Offensive struggles began to ensue, and the Nighthawks put together a thirteen-point run to close out the third quarter taking the lead, 42-45.

The 'Cats regained composure in the fourth. Kizzah Maltezo knocked down the opening basket and Samantha Bowman scored on her own rebound to retake the lead 48-47.

A seven-point run began to give the Nighthawks life as the bench erupted. Samantha Bowman knocked down a jumper beyond the top of the key to keep the 'Cats within three, 51-54.

Kassidy Malcolm knocked down a big bucket in transition to bring the 'Cats back within two.

As the clock wound down both teams exchanged shots from the charity stripe. Tori Maeda drained a pair to bring the 'Cats within one 59-60 with 8.2 to play.

The 'Cats made a strong push in the final seconds, but the Nighthawks walked away with the win, 59-61.

"We were ill-dsicplinced pm the defensive side of the ball which is something we have to improve upon if we want to be competive in the GNAC. Our players have to find a sense of urgency to do things right."