ELLENSBURG, Wash.—Central Washington women's basketball took down Northwest Nazarene 71-65, in Nicholson Pavilion on Saturday. The win is the first time the Wildcats have defeated the Nighthawks since 2018, and extends Centrals winning streak to eight.
 
The Wildcats eight-game winning streak ties their longest streak since the 2006-07 season. The Wildcats longest winning streak in the Division II era was set at nine games during the 2006-07 season.
 
With today's win the Wildcats advance into a tie for the number two spot in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference standings. The Wildcats share a 6-2 conference mark with Montana State University Billings, whom the Wildcats beat back in December, 79-68.
 
"I'm happy to get the win against a good NNU team," said head coach Randi Richardson-Thornley. "They always do a good job of speeding us up and forcing us to play at their pace. Our girls did a good job of making adjustments in the second half."
 
Samantha Bowman notched her 12^th double-double today with 15 points and 20 rebounds. Bowman was all over the court, grabbing 4 blocks, 4 steals, and handing out 4 assists.
 
Kassidy Malcolm scored 11 points alongside 7 rebounds and one steal. Malcolm's 11 points has garnered her a spot as the 14^th player in program history to join the 1,000-point club. Malcolm is also just the 6^th player in program history to eclipse both 1,000 or more points and 500 or more rebounds in their career.
 
"Sam and Kass did work on the boards, and we were able to make enough plays to get the win. Congrats to Kassidy on her 1,000 points. I'm so happy for her to reach this milestone and it's so well deserved," said Richardson-Thornley.
 
The Wildcats grabbed a ten-point lead on free throws from Brinley Hagemeier as the third quarter expired, 57-47. NNU attempted to rally in the final quarter, but the 'Cats held them at bay only allowing NNU within three.
 
Despite committing 20 turnovers, the Wildcats forced 18 turnovers by NNU and owned a 19-16 advantage in points off turnovers.
 
Nyalam Thabach led the Nighthawks with 19 points and 7 rebounds.
 
The Wildcats continue GNAC play as they head to Alaska for a trio of matchups next week. Alaska Fairbanks awaits the Wildcats on Wednesday, February 2^nd, at 6:15 p.m. PST. The Wildcats will play Fairbanks the following day at the same scheduled time to make-up the game previously postponed on January 8^th.