ELLENSBURG, Wash. – The Central Washington women's basketball team (6-1, 1-0 GNAC) opened up conference play with a convincing 69-56 victory Thursday night over the visiting Western Oregon Wolves (4-1, 0-1 GNAC). 
 
QUOTE FROM HEAD COACH RANDI RICHARDSON-THORNLEY
 
"Proud of how we responded coming out of the second half. We can take a lot away from this game tonight. I saw some improvement on the offensive glass, but we have to get better at finishing possessions defensively. I thought Sam gave us a big lift in the second half with her energy and effort as well. Lots of good to build upon but also lots to learn from and grow upon."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
 
The Wildcats started off the game hot going into the first media timeout up 10-0 thanks to back-to-back threes from Asher Cai, two free-throws from Samantha Bowman, and a jumper from Ashley Schow. The Wolves got on the board at the 4:38 mark down 10-3, which helped both teams keep pace with each other the rest of the quarter as CWU finished the first quarter up 18-10.
 
WOU started the second quarter off hot, drilling three's left and right and before the 'Cats knew it the Wolves took the lead 21-20 with 8:04 left in the quarter. The Wildcats battled but the Wolves shooting was scorching. WOU tied their largest lead of the game from a layup from Cali McClave at the 1:12 mark as WOU was up 35-27. The rest of the half turned into the Asher Cai show, nailing a three-pointer followed by a backwards layup to put the 'Cats down three at the half, 35-32. 
 
CWU came out of the half blazing and looking like the Wildcats we've seen put up 90 plus points. Cai and Asher combined to put the 'Cats up five 42-37 with 6:24 left in the quarter. CWU continued to pile on with contributions from Valerie "Sunshine" Huerta and Riley Johnson. Bowman finished with 13 points in the quarter. 
 
The fourth quarter opened up with a three from Tori Maeda putting the 'Cats up 61-41 with nine and a half minutes left. The 'Cats had an answer everytime the Wolves tried to go on a run, helping maintain the severe lead for CWU. Defensive efforts from Ashley Schow shone in the final moments of the game, as the 'Cats cruised to the victory. 
 
CWU was led by Bowman with 25 points and 17 rebounds to add onto her double-double total for the season. Cai wasn't far behind with 21 points, while Sunshine added eight points, while Schow added her own six. Maeda, Johnson, and Claire Heitschmidt each notched three points to round out the CWU scoring. 
 
The 'Cats shot 39.4 percent from the field and went 27.3 percent from three-point land and 77.8 percent from the free-throw line. The 'Cats finished with 16 assists, three blocks, and 11 steals. CWU outrebounded the Wolves 51-44. 
 
UP NEXT
 
The 'Cats will continue their homestand with a GNAC Conference matchup against the St. Martin's Saints (3-5). The game will be held at Ellensburg High School on Saturday at 5:15 p.m.