ELLENSBURG, Wash. – Following three dominant non-conference wins in December, Central Washington men's basketball looks to continue the positive momentum into GNAC play this week as they travel to take on Montana State Billings (2-0, 8-4), and Seattle Pacific (1-1, 6-5).
 
GAME INFORMATION
Thursday, Dec. 29th
4:15 PM
At. Montana State Billings
Alterowitz Gymnasium
Billings, Montana
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Live Stats

Saturday, Dec. 31st
4:15 PM
At. Seattle Pacific
Brougham Pavilion
Seattle, Washington
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QUOTING HEAD COACH BRANDON RINTA
"This is a challenging road trip to be taking right after Christmas break. Holiday travel has been rough, and we are having to have guys make it to Billings with us in different ways. MSUB has separated themselves as one of the best teams in the league. They were able to sweep the Alaska trip the first week of conference play and that rarely happens. They are a big and versatile team."

LAST TIME OUT
Central Washington beat Walla Walla 87-59 on Monday, December 19^th. The 'Cats had four players in double digits led by Camron McNeil scoring 23 points. Samaad Hector chipped in 15, Colby Gennett recorded 11, and Matt Poquette had 10. Forty-one fast break points and free throw shooting propelled CWU to the victory. The Crimson and Black hit 17-23 from the charity stripe in the second half. Hector recorded a double-double grabbing 10 boards to go with his 15 points. With three straight wins, CWU is 4-7 overall and 0-2 in GNAC play.
 
SCOUTING MONTANA STATE BILLINGS
The Yellowjackets are currently 8-4 overall and 2-0 in conference play. In their previous game, they fell to Angelo State 55-59 in the finale at the Holiday Hoops Classic. Montana State Billings went 1-1 in the tournament. In the opening round, they recorded a 75-70 victory against Missouri S&T.

In their loss to Angelo State, a three from Jalen Tott brought the Yellowjackets within a bucket down 75-77. Two free throws from Angelo State's Kevon Godwin halted the comeback.

Bilal Shabazz led MSUB scoring 14 points and hauling in a team high seven boards. Carrington Wiggins and Abdul Bah each had 10 points on the night. Wiggins also orchestrated the offense and dished out five assists.

Montana State Billings shot 36.5% from the field, made 10 threes, and shot 63.6% from the free throw line.
 
SCOUTING SEATTLE PACIFIC
The Falcons are currently 6-5 overall and 1-1 in conference play. Prior to taking on the Wildcats, Seattle Pacific hosts Northwest Nazarene on December 29^th at 5:15 p.m. In their most recent game, they fell 74-80 to Dominguez Hills in Carson California.

Dominguez Hills shot well in the first half and took a 45-24 lead into the break. In the second half, the Falcons would heat up and close the gap. They shot 57.6% from the field, made nine 3-pointers, and sunk all their free throws. Dominguez Hills held on down the stretch, taking the victory.

Syon Blackmon led the Falcons with 19 points including five threes. Shaw Anderson and Kelton Samore each scored 16 points. Casson Rouse had 11 points on the night. Additionally, Blackmon
dished out 5 assists.

Seattle Pacific shot 47.5% from the field, made eleven from beyond the arc, and went 50% from the free throw line.

CWU head coach Brandon Rinta said the following about the Falcons:

"SPU has two of the top scorers in the league and has continued to get better over the last two months as they add guys to their lineup." Rinta added, "They are one of the most efficient offensive teams in the country." 
 
LOOKING AHEAD
With GNAC games in full swing, the Wildcats host Alaska Anchorage and Alaska Fairbanks January 5^th and 7^th at Big Bend Community College.