ELLENSBURG, Wash.—The Central Washington women's basketball team took down the Pirates from Whitworth University 89-63 in the Wildcats final non-conference matchup of the season. Kizzah Maltezo knocked down 26 points alongside Kassidy Malcolm with 22 as the 'Cats advanced to 8-4 on the season with tonights win.

"This was a good game for us coming out of the Christmas break. We had some stretches where we played really well and some others that we can really learn from too heading back into conference play next week. Happy with our ability to play our bench tonight and for everyone to come in and give some productive minutes" Said CWU Head Coach Randi Richardson-Thornley. 

The 'Cats stuck to their guns early and the three-point barrage from Valerie Huerta and Kizzah Maltezo propelled them into the lead 14-6.

A steal by the 'Cats and a pair of turnovers by the Pirates allowed Valerie Huerta to knock down a wide-open layup in the paint for the final bucket of the quarter.

While the opening quarter was a close battle between the 'Cats and Pirates, a 64.7% shooting percentage from the field and 71.4% from beyond the arc allowed the 'Cats to take the opening quarter 21-28.

Kizzah Maltezo and the 'Cats kept the momentum rolling into the second quarter. Maltezo knocked down a deep three on a cross-court pass from Jenna Troy, and knocked down a layup in the lane on the following possession.

Freshman Shaylee Coulter-Fa'amafu came off of the bench knocking down a big three at the top of the key to break forty for the 'Cats.

Kassidy Malcolm knocked down a pair of free throws and layups for the 'Cats final scores of the quarter extending the lead out to seventeen.

The Pirates found their stride and put together an offensive run just before the half, but the 'Cats led after the second quarter, 47-34.

Kassidy Malcolm opened the third quarter without missing a beat knocking down her fourth three-point ball of the night on an assist from Jenna Troy.

After early foul troubles in the first half, Samantha Bowman returned and immediately had an impact knocking down back-to-back layups on a pair of fast breaks.

Samantha Bowman knocked down ten of the 'Cats twenty points in the third alongside three blocks to extend their lead, 67-39.

The Pirates made an offensive push to open the fourth, knocking down a trio of baskets in quick succession. Kizzah Maltezo provided the momentum stopper for the 'Cats, knocking down back-to-back shots from deep beyond the arc.

Cassidy Gardner came off of the bench for a big three-point ball in the corner for the 'Cats. Gardner wound up knocking down the final bucket for the 'Cats with a floater down the lane as the 'Cats toppled the Pirates, 89-63.