ELLENSBURG, Wash. – The Central Washington University men's basketball (0-3) fell to Saint Martin's University (2-8), 80-73.
 
"We did not start the game off well," CWU Head Coach Brandon Rinta said afterward. "I thought our guys did a good job of regrouping and making some adjustments in the second half. Marqus [Gilson] has been battling some injuries and it was good to see him play like he is capable of. I thought CJ [Hyder] and Colby [Gennett] gave us a good spark tonight."
 
Marqus Gilson and CJ Hyder led the Wildcats' offense with 15 points each, while Xavier Smith chipped in 13.
 
The Saints opened a 13-point advantage in the first seven minutes of play, 17-6, with a flurry of buckets. Amari Stafford knocked down the Wildcats' third three of the game after Lewis Pope and Hyder converted on the first two, making it 17-9.
 
A pair of free throws from Gilson after the eight-minute media timeout made it 30-17 in favor of Saint Martin's. On the 'Cats next possession, Matt Poquette picked up a bucket in the paint, but the Saints' Alex Schumacher raced back down the court for a bucket of his own. The Saints extended their advantage to 21 with two free throws from Schumacher with a minute remaining in the opening stanza. Gennett knocked down a three as time expired in the first half, bringing the score to 45-27. Central struggled from the floor in the first half, converting just a third of their shots.
 
Starting the second half, the Wildcats opened with a 6-0 run, as two baskets from Gilson and another from Smith, cut the deficit to 45-33. A three from Hyder with 15:02 remaining brought the game within 10, 46-36. However, a quick three from SMU's Josh Camper pushed the Saints' lead back to 13.
 
The Wildcats managed to pull the Saints' lead to single digits with a pair of free throws from Poquette with 13:38 remaining, 49-40. A three-point play from Gennett then made it a six-point contest, 49-43. Saint Martin's opened a 9-2 run, taking a 58-45 advantage. A free throw from Gennett with 10:16 remaining put a momentary halt to the Saints' offense. Saint Martin's continued to drive, however, and extended their lead back to 14 with 55 seconds left in regulation, 80-66.
 
Central knocked down the last three buckets of the game in just 44 seconds. Micah Pollard opened the run with a fastbreak jumper, before converting a free throw after being fouled by Schumacher on the play. Jalai O'Keith picked the pocket of Schumacher on the Saints' next possession and made a jumper in the paint.  A missed free throw for the Saints allowed Pollard to snag the rebound and drain a fastbreak bucket, cutting the deficit to 80-73. 
 
The Crimson and Black shot 45.8 percent from the floor in total, including an impressive 58.62 percent in the second half. The 'Cats scored 38 points in the paint and the reserves scored 36 points. Poquette led the Wildcats with six rebounds.
 
The Wildcats are back in action tomorrow (Feb. 27) as they travel to Saint Martin's University.  Tip-off against the Saints is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.