Box Score ELLENSBURG, Wash. – The Central Washington University men's basketball team fell to Northwest Nazarene University 90-75.
 
The Wildcats'(2-4) loss comes on the heels of a 94-84 over the West Region fourth-ranked Nighthawks (11-4).
 
"NNU played very well tonight," CWU Head Coach Brandon said. '"Alley got on a roll and was able to keep the score at arm's length in the second half. Xavier [Smith], Micah [Pollard], Matt [Poquette], and Marqus [Gilson] did their best to try and carry us tonight."
 
Micah Pollard come off the bench and logged 29 minutes. He finished with 21 points, seven rebounds, and two steals. Xavier Smith registered 15 points, four assists, and four rebounds, while Matt Poquette recorded 13 points, seven rebounds, two assists, two blocks, and one steal. Marqus Gilson accumulated five boards and one block, along with 10 points.
 
Colby Gennett swatted away three shots for the Crimson and Black.
 
A three from Smith five minutes into the opening stanza gave CWU a 12-6 advantage but it was washed away with a 9-2 run from NNU. The Nighthawks tied to pull away from the Wildcats, but Central held tight until a 16-0 run in favor of Northwest Nazarene. The Nighthawks held a 51-36 lead at half.
 
The second period went in favor of the Wildcats, 39-38, but it was not enough to overcome the deficit. Central recorded eight offensive rebounds in the backend of the contest and went 9-for-11 from the free throw line, after not finding their way in to charity stripe in the first half.
 
Overall, the Crimson and Black shot 41.4 percent from the floor. They recorded 35 rebounds, 10 came on offense.
 
"I think we were able to learn a lot about ourselves and improve in some areas over the last three weeks," Rinta added. "The three schools we played had more practice and game experience than us going into each of our contests which made it more of a challenge.  I believe the opportunity to play even a few games will makes us better moving into next season."
 
The Wildcats' bench outscored the Nighthawks' reserves 34-32. Central also out-blocked NNU, 7-0, and scored more points off turnovers 20-14. The finished with 30 points in the paint and 17 second chance points.
 
Central's shortened spring 2021 season came to a close this weekend. The Wildcats will begin preparations for the 2021-22 season in the winter.