ELLENSBURG, Wash. – The Central Washington University men's basketball team hosts Western Oregon University in a Great Northwest Athletic Conference matchup on Saturday (January 22) at 6:15 pm.
 
QUOTABLE
"It is exciting to be playing our first home conference game," CWU Head Coach Brandon Rinta said. "With the games that have been played already it is clear that every game is going to be competitive."
 
SCOUTING WESTERN OREGON
The Wolves are 3-9 on the year and 2-2 in GNAC contests. Western Oregon played their first conference game since January 6 on Thursday (January 20) at Northwest Nazarene University. They fell 95-59.
 
Cameron Cranston led the way for the Wolves (3-9, 2-2 GNAC) with 16 points, along with five rebounds, an assist and a steal in playing all 40 minutes. John Morrill-Keeler went for 11 points, a team-high seven rebounds, two steals and a block. Qiant Myers rounded out the three in double-digits with 10 points, he added a team-high six assists and grabbed four rebounds. Yosani Clay just missed double-figures with nine points and Tyreek Price added eight.
 
The Wolves are averaging 73.3 points, making 301-675 (44.6) from the field, 112-294 (38.1) from three and 92-132 (69.7) at the foul line. Western Oregon averages 32.9 rebounds, 14.8 assists, 6.5 steals and 3.2 blocks per game. Opponents average 76.5 points per game, making 326-706 (46.2) from the field, 79-226 (35) from three and 110-152 (72.4) at the foul line. Opponents also average 38.7 rebounds, 13.3 assists, 6.5 steals and 1.5 blocks per game.
 
Cranston leads the Wolves in almost every category including points per game (18.8), field goals (73), minutes per game (36.1), three-pointers (36), free throws (25), assists (28) and steals (17). He also adds 5.4 rebounds per game (second on the team) and 11 blocks which is also good for second on the team. Morrill-Keeler is second on the team in points per game at 10.4 and leads the team in rebounds per game at 5.5. He is shooting over 62 percent from the field (47-75).
 
WOU ranks high nationally in several categories including 89^th in assists per game (14.8), 21^st in fewest fouls (162), 50^th in fewest turnovers (147), 24^th and second in the GNAC in three-point field goals per game (10.2), 40^th in three-point field goal percentage (38.1), 92^nd and third in the GNAC in total three-point field goals made (112).
 
Individually, Cranston is fifth in the GNAC in blocked shots per game (1), ninth in field goal percentage (48), 31^st nationally and second in the GNAC in minutes per game (36:06), 63^rd nationally and second in the GNAC in points per game (18.8), eighth in the GNAC in steals per game (1.5), 27^th nationally and third in the GNAC in three-point field goals per game (3.27), 14^th nationally and second in the GNAC in three-point field goal percentage (48), 77^th nationally and third in the GNAC in total three-point field goals made (36), sixth in the GNAC in total blocks (11), fourth in the GNAC in total field goals made (73) and third in the GNAC in total points (207). Cobb is fourth in the GNAC in blocked shots per game (1.09) and fifth in the GNAC in total blocks (12). Price is ninth in the GNAC in three-point field goals per game (2).
 
LAST TIME OUT
The Wildcats have played just one game since they picked up an 89-76 victory over Northwest Nazarene. More recently, Central fell to the University of Alaska Fairbanks, in Fairbanks, 97-95 in overtime on January 15.
 
Xavier Smith and David Thompson recorded career highs with 29 points each. They represented over half of the Wildcats' scoring. The Wildcats shot 44.6 percent from the floor and 23-for-26 at the charity stripe. The rebounding battle finished deadlocked at 38-38.
 
Smith leads the Wildcats in scoring, averaging 18.4 points per game. He is shooting 49.3 percent from the field and 84.2 percent from the free throw line. Thompson is behind him with 16.6 points per game and a shooting percentage 44.2 percent from the field.
 
Leading the Wildcats' rebounding effort are Marqus Gilson (5.9) and Matt Poquette (5.4). The duo have accumulated 63 and 59 rebounds, respectively. Gilson is also averaging 13.5 points per game, while Poquette is putting up 10.7.
 
As a unit, Central is scoring 82.91 points per game, while allowing 76.18. The 'Cats are shooting 46.7 percent and holding opponents to a shooting percentage 45.7 and just 30 percent from beyond the arc. The Crimson and Black are out rebounding opponents 37.1 to 36.1.
 
COVID-19 MASKING POLICY
All spectators are required to wear masks inside Nicholson Pavilion.