ELLENSBURG, Washington – A 9-for-10 effort at the free throw line, combined with a 55.56 shooting percentage, in the second half secured Central Washington University's 76-73 comeback win over the University of Alaska.
The Wildcats (13-6, 7-5 GNAC) held the lead for the final 97 seconds. Trailing by seven with 5:13 remaining Central outscored Alaska (7-11, 4-8 GNAC) 15-5 to capture the lead and the victory. A driving layup from
Colby Gennett opened the run for the 'Cats.
Xavier Smith followed suit, pulling in an offensive board on Central's next possession before tallying a bucket himself.
After a layup from Alaska's Shadeed Shabazz,
David Thompson found Gennett, who drew a foul on his way to the basket, for a three-point play. The Nanooks' next possession ended with a defensive rebound for
Isaiah Banks before Central utilized a timeout to halt play at 70-68, in favor of UAF, with 2:18 on the clock.
Following the Wildcats' timeout, Thompson was fouled on this way to the basket. He knocked down both of his chances, leveling the score at 70-70. The Nanooks came up empty on their ensuing possession, allowing Smith to give the 'Cats their first lead since opening stanza, 72-70.
Alaska held their advantage for 24:29.
"I was impressed with our guys, especially with how much Fairbanks led," CWU Head Coach
Brandon Rinta said. "Our guys just kept fighting. We were able to put together a bit of run there, get closer, and get the stops at the end. We made some clutch free throws. Fairbanks played really well tonight. They had some guys get in a good rhythm but I thought our guys did a good job adjusting and keeping them off the offensive glass. Without Marcus and Mitch we are a bit smaller and we have to work a little harder. "It [the late free throws] was big. For the most part we have been a good free throw shooting team here and thankfully it paid off tonight."
With just 30 seconds remaining, Shadeed Shabazz was sent to the line for Alaska. Prior to shooting his free throws, UAF opted to use a coach's challenge but the ruling on the court held – eliminating the Nanooks' final timeout. Shabazz made the first of free throws. The second missed and was hauled in by Gennett. He managed to find Smith, who was then fouled, with 0:19 on the clock. The senior guard knocked down both of his chances at the stripe, pushing CWU's edge to 74-71.
After another CWU timeout, Shabazz and the Nanooks drove the lane for a layup, cutting the score to 74-73 in favor of the 'Cats. Smith was fouled again on the inbound, sending him back to the line, where he did not miss - salting away the contest.
Gennett led the Wildcats in points with 18 and shot 70 percent from the field. Smith finished with 17 points and went 4-for-4 at the charity stripe.
Matt Poquette (15),
Amari Stafford (12), and Thompson (10) all finished with double-digit scoring efforts.
Central recorded a +12 margin in rebounding, 39-27, including an 11-5 mark off the offensive glass. Individually, the 'Cats had eight players with two or more rebounds. Every Wildcat to record two or more rebounds recorded at least one offensive board. Poquette led the Crimson and Black's efforts with seven, three coming on offense, and Gennett added six,. Both Smith and Thompson recorded five boards.
The second half of play was the inverse for both Central and Alaska. The Nanooks built their first half lead on a shooting percentage of 54.8, while holding the Wildcats to a 41.7 percentage. Despite shooting just 41.7 percent, Central held the lead for 11:08 in the game's first 20 minutes.
The Wildcats largest lead of the half, and the game, was a four-point difference eight-and-a-half minutes into play. Alaska slowly swung momentum in their favor, tying the game, 29-29, with five minutes left in the first.
Central reestablished a small four-point margin, 35-31, but a three from Shabazz brought Alaska within one. Koby Huerta gave the Nanooks the late first half lead with a jumper, 36-35. UAF closed the first half with a three from Quin Barnard, taking a 39-35 lead into the locker room at halftime. In the final 3:19 of the first half, Alaska outscored Central 10-2.
Alaska's momentum continued in the first six minutes of the second half. The Nanooks pushed their lead to 11 with a layup from Coleman Sparling. Central erupted for a 10-0 run, cutting the deficit to one, before the Nanooks were able to quell the damage. The Wildcats kept the game within reach, trailing by only seven in the final five minutes as they staged their comeback. They finished the second half, however, with a shooting percentage of 41.9.
"We were able to string together some stops," Rinta added. "That second group that came in the second half,
Isaiah Banks and
Micah Pollard, coming in and allowing us to elevate our defense."
The Crimson and Black have more game slated for this week. They host Alaska Anchorage on Saturday (February 12) at 6:15 PM.
