BILLINGS, Mont.—The Central Washington women's basketball team overcame their shooting struggles from Seattle Pacific and took down the Yellowjackets from Montana State University Billings on their home court, 79-68.
 
"Very happy with the improvement from Thursday to Saturday. We picked two things to improve on and our team did those things. It's nice to get back to our shooting ways" Said CWU Head Coach Randi Richardson-Thornley.
 
A hot start for senior guard Kassidy Malcolm allowed the 'Cats to jump to an early 7-2 lead on a pair of mid-range jumpers and a deep ball from beyond the arc.
 
Tori Maeda followed suit with a deep jumper of her own, but the 'Jackets answered quickly retaking the lead 10-7.
 
As the 'Jackets began to lock down the perimeter, Kizzah Maltezo split the lane and found a layup down low.
 
Amanda Sisul got a key defensive rebound down low and was able to feed Kiera Bush for a deep jumper on the opposite end.
 
Valerie Huerta got one off from beyond the arc with seconds on the clock from Kizzah Maltezo and the 'Cats closed out the opening quarter in front 19-14.
 
Shaylee Coulter-Fa'amafu came off the bench to open the second quarter and knocked down a mid-range shot on the feed from Kizzah Maltezo.
 
Keira Bush had a steal on the opposite end leading to a Kassidy Malcolm layup in the post. On the next possession Malcolm found another from beyond the arc and the 'Cats were up 30-21.
 
Four 'Cats were able to find baskets down low in the post, and Claire Heitschmidt joined in on the three-point parade with 0:45 left to go in the half. The 'Cats led at half time, 43-29.
 
The 'Jackets offense began to find their groove out of the half, putting up seven points in the opening minutes, but Kizzah Maltezo was able to knock down a pair of buckets and free-throws to keep the 'Cats ahead, 52-42.
 
Amanda Sisul and Claire Heitshcmidt both came off of the bench late in the third to pick up a set of layups and the 'Cats remained in front 61-50 after three.
 
"Our bench stepped up big time this week and gave us great minutes. We grew in positive ways and that's the goal."
 
The fourth quarter was off to a quiet start until Kizzah Maltezo pulled up from downtown to knock down another three.
 
Valeria Huerta grabbed a rebound on a missed layup by the 'Jackets and took it herself to the other end to knock down a mid-range jumper.
 
The 'Jackets began to knock down a few mid-range shots, but Tori Maeda found an open three assisted by Valerie Huerta to keep the lead at seventeen, 69-52.
 
Valerie Huerta found an open lane once again amidst a 9-2 run by the 'Jackets to keep the 'Cats ahead as the clock wound down.
 
The 'Cats closed out the game on free throws beating the Yellowjackets 79-68.
 
"Now we have to keep growing and get ready for another big conference game next Saturday at NNU."