SEATTLE, Wash. — A strong second half performance from the Central Washington University men's basketball team lifted the Wildcats (4-1, 1-0 GNAC) over Seattle Pacific University, 68-65, to open GNAC play.
Credit to these guys for finding a way to win a tough road game," CWU Head Coach Brandon Rinta said. "We have been guarding the three point line extremely well this year. Tonight it was our interior defense that won it for us. Limiting them to 24 points in the paint and six free throws was the difference."
Xavier carried us all night offensively. As a team we did a great job of continuing to get the right shots even though we weren't always able to capitalize.
A pair of big runs cemented the Wildcats' second half against the Falcons (4-4, 0-1 GNAC). They opened the back half with a 14-2 run, before a 15-2 run later in the half.
Xavier Smith tallied 10 points over the two runs. He finished with a team-leading 23 points on the evening. Smith went 8-for-17 from the field and 7-for-7 from the free throw line. He also turned in four rebounds and one block.
Xavier carried us all night offensively," Rinta added. "As a team we did a great job of continuing to get the right shots even though we weren't always able to capitalize."
Marqus Gilson was the only other Wildcat to eclipse 10 points as he recorded a dozen.
Seattle Pacific held the lead for the majority of the contest, leaving the Wildcats with just 15:19 of time with the advantage. Central only attempted four shots from beyond the arc and scored 46 points in the paint, meanwhile the Falcons attempted 29 long-range shots.. The Wildcats' reserves chipped in 17 points. Central out rebounded the Falcons 43-36, including an 8-7 edge in offensive boards. There were only a combined six second chance points with the Wildcats recording four.
The Falcons led by as many as 13 in the first half; a lead they put in place just six and a half minutes into the contest. The Crimson and Black chipped away at the Falcons' lead, dropping the deficit to five at the end of the half, 32-27.
After the Falcons took their 13-point lead in the first, the Wildcats outscored SPU 19-11. Smith led the 'Cats during the run with seven points, while Gilson contributed six. Mitch Brizee notched a pair of baskets and David Thompson added one of his own.
Central's opening run of the second half was bookended by a pair of buckets from Matt Poquette. During the 14-2 run, the Wildcats were 6-for-8 from the field and 2-2 at the free throw line. They held the Falcons to a 1-for-7 mark during the run.
Thompson gave the Crimson and Black their first lead of the contest, 35-34. Seattle Pacific regained a slim 44-43 lead midway through the second on a three from Sharif Khan. Micah Pollard responded by converting a layup, before Amari Stafford drained a three. Smith gave the Wildcats an 11-point lead with 8:33 remaining.
After the Falcons pulled the deficit within five with just under three minutes to play, Smith put the Wildcats back up seven by driving underneath.
A pair of threes, and two free throws from the Falcons later, Centra's lead was only one at 66-65. Smith went to the line and knocked down a pair of free throws for the 'Cats with seven seconds left, before Seattle Pacific called a timeout with five seconds remaining to draw up a final play.
Khan's shot from the corner did not fall, as Central hung on for the 68-65 win.
The Wildcats are back in action on Saturday (Dec. 4) as they travel to Montana State Billings. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. PT.
