ELLENSBURG, Wash. – The Central Washington Wildcats women's basketball team (7-1) are set to host the first two of a string of non-conference games over the holiday season. The Wildcats will hit the court on Saturday when they host the Northwest Eagles (3-3) at Ellensburg High School with tip-off set for 6:00 p.m.
 
GAME INFORMATION
 
Saturday, December 10^th
6:00 p.m.
Central Washington vs. Northwest
Ellensburg High School
Ellensburg, Wash.
Watch Live Stats Tickets
 
LAST TIME OUT
 
Central Washington is coming off a solid opening weekend of GNAC play, sweeping the weekend with a 69-56 victory over Western Oregon, and then backing it up with a convincing 74-54 victory over Saint Martin's.
 
The Wildcats started strong against WOU taking an 18-10 lead after the first quarter. However, the Wolves came storming back in the second quarter dropping 25 points compared to the 'Cats 14 which helped the Wolves take the three-point lead, 35-32 at the half. The Wildcats had their chance to charge in front, outscoring WOU by 20 points in the third quarter 26-6 to set the 'Cats up the rest of the game 58-41. The Wolves were able to cut their deficit down in the fourth, outscoring CWU 15-11, but the game of time proved to be too much for any sort of Wolf comeback giving WOU their first loss of the season.
 
Samantha Bowman led the CATtack adding on another double-double with 25 points and 17 rebounds. Asher Cai also had herself a game pouring on 21 points while gathering two steals and a block. In total the 'Cats shot 39.4 percent from the floor while draining 27.3 percent of three-pointers and 77.8 percent from the free-throw line. CWU out-rebounded WOU 51-44 as well as doubled the Wolves assist total 16-8. CWU also added on three blocks and 11 steals.
 
CWU came out firing on all cylinders to start their game against SMU. The 'Cats quickly built up a lead early, and never looked back going up 21-6 to end the first quarter. CWU continued to assert its offensive prowess in the second quarter, outscoring the Saints 23-10 and holding them scoreless until the 3:46 mark of the quarter. The 'Cats cruised to a 44-16 lead at halftime. SMUs offense started clicking a bit more in the second half as they outscored CWU 22-16 in the third quarter to make the score 60-38 going into the final quarter. The Saints once again outscored the 'Cats in the fourth on a narrow 16-14 margin and saw CWU cruise to the 74-54 victory.
 
Valerie "Sunshine" Huerta led all scores putting up 21 points and added four rebounds, two assists, and one steal, while Cai had another solid performance pushing out 18 points, five rebounds, and two assists. Bowman notched another double-double performance under her belt putting up 17 points and 15 rebounds while also adding on four assists and two steals. Collectively the 'Cats show 42.2 percent from the floor while also draining 34.6 percent of their three-point attempts and 61.1 percent of their free-throws.
 
QUOTING HEAD COACH RANDI RICHARDSON-THORNLEY
 
"I'm excited for another opportunity to hit the floor. It's another opportunity for us to see growth and learn!"
 
SCOUTING THE EAGLES
 
NU so far has gone 3-3 on the season but has gone 3-0 against teams from Washington. That record will be tested on Friday when they play at The Evergreen State College. They most recently opened their conference play with a split at home, first a loss to Lewis-Clark State by a 93-28 score, followed by a victory over upcoming CWU opponent Walla Walla by a 51-43 score.
 
Kyrin Baklund is leading the Eagles offensively averaging 11.3 points per game followed closely by Kylie Lunday who is averaging 11 points even a game. Lunday and Maria Arroyo Sanchez are the leading defensive forces for NU. Lunday is averaging 7.7 rebounds per game and 1.3 steals per game while Arroyo Sanchez is averaging one block per game to each lead their categories, respectively.
 
Collectively the Eagles are shooting 42.3 percent from the floor, 29.6 percent for three-point attempts, and 74.5 percent from the free-throw line. This is the first matchup between NU and CWU since prior to the 2002-03 season.
 
LOOKING AHEAD
 
The Wildcats will wrap up their non-conference schedule with a pair of games before Christmas. Both games will be held at Yakima Valley Community College. The 'Cats first welcome NCAA Division Three member, the Whitman Blues on Saturday December 17^th with tip-off set for 2:00 p.m. The Wildcats final non-conference game will take place against NAIA member the Walla Walla Wolves on Monday December 19^th at 5:00 p.m. in a double-header with the CWU men's basketball team.