ELLENSBURG, Wash. – The Central Washington University men's basketball team hosts Simon Fraser University in a Great Northwest Athletic Conference matchup on Tuesday (January 25) at 4:00 p.m.
 
SCOUTING SIMON FRASER
SFU sits at 8-4 on the season with a 3-1 mark in GNAC play. They have compiled a 5-0 record at home, but are just 2-4 away from the friendly confines of West Gym.
 
In their last outing, Simon Fraser held on for a 75-72 victory over Seattle Pacific University. Julian Roche led the scoring efforts for SFU, tallying 24 points and 11 rebounds. He earned GNAC Player of the Week honors with his second consecutive double-double. Roche achieved his first double-double of the week against Alaska, tallying 12 points and 10 rebounds. He added a career-high five blocks against the Nanooks.
 
Roche is leading Simon Fraser's season scoring as well, averaging nearly a double-double per game with 15.6 points per game and 9.5 rebounds. He is shooting 58.3 percent from the field, but has struggled at the free throw line. Roche has converted just 69 percent of his chances at the charity stripe.
 
Also scoring in double digits are Jasdeep Singh (13.6), Wilfried Balata (13.1), and Jordan Lyons (11.0). Singh and Balata have appeared in just seven games each, while Lyons has appeared in all 12 games for SFU. He has started just a pair, however.
 
Simon Fraser is averaging 77 points per game on a shooting percentage of 47.0 as a team. They also hold a +4.7 advantage in rebounding at 37.5-32.8. SFU is holding their opposition to 70.67 points per game and a shooting percentage of just 43.4.
 
SFU is 2-3 in their last five meetings against Central Washington. In the last 10 meetings, Simon Fraser is 3-7 and have not recorded a win in Ellensburg since they joined the GNAC in the 2010-2011 season.
 
LAST TIME OUT
Marqus Gilson finished with 23 points and 12 rebounds as he led the 'Cats offense in their 90-67 victory over Western Oregon University. Xavier Smith recorded 20 points; it is the fourth consecutive contest where he has tallied at least 20 points. Matt Poquette finished with 18 points to round out the top three scorers.
 
The Wildcats made the best out of the Wolves' mistakes, scoring 23 points off turnovers. They added 50 points in the paint, 17 fast break points, 10 second chance points, and 17 points off the bench. Central's bench scored 15 of their 17 points in the first half. The Wildcats held Western Oregon to just 22 points in the paint, including just eight in the first half. Also in the first half, Central held the Wolves to zero second chance points. They out rebounded WOU 37-26, including a 6-5 margin in offensive boards. Central tallied 20 assists, eight of which came from David Thompson.
 
At 3-2 in GNAC play, the Wildcats are currently fourth in the GNAC standings. They sit behind Alaska Anchorage (2-1), Saint Martin's (4-2), and Simon Fraser (3-1).
 
 
COVID-19 MASKING POLICY
All spectators are required to wear masks inside Nicholson Pavilion.