Box Score ELLENSBURG, Wash. – Xavier Smith's 26 points and clutch shooting, including making the game-winning bucket, guided Central Washington University (14-6, 8-6 GNAC) men's basketball to an 81-80 overtime win over the University of Alaska Anchorage (11-7, 6-5 GNAC).
Smith converted the Wildcats' last two buckets, the final coming with three seconds and putting the 'Cats ahead 81-80.
"Xavier came up with three big shots, that I can remember, to send us to overtime," CWU Head Coach
Brandon Rinta said. "Then he makes those last two in overtime, it's about as clutch as it gets. He had a great night."
Central trailed by nine, 56-47, with 9:50 left in regulation. The Wildcats chipped away, pulling the deficit to three, 60-57, with 6:21 on the clock. After a three from Anchorage's David Rowlands, back-to-back baskets Smith and
David Thompson made it a 63-61 contest in favor of Anchorage. The Crimson and Black finally levelled the score at 65-65 with a pullup jumper from Smith.
"Our guys tightened up defensively and made a couple adjustments in the second half," Rinta added. "Pantovic is a load down inside and Matt did as well as he could – even for giving up some inches and pounds. Really impressed with how our guys kept fighting."
The Seawolves took a 70-67 with 23 seconds left, but Smith answered the call for Central again. He knocked down the game tying basket with just 14 seconds left. Anchorage held the final possession in regulation.
Anchorage opened the overtime period with a three from Hunter Sweet. Central responded with a layup from
Colby Gennett. After a bucket from Oggie Pantovic made it 75-72, a free throw from
Matt Poquette and a jumper from Thompson levelled the overtime period with 2:20 remaining.
Both Pantovic and Thompson fouled out in the overtime period.
Rowlands gave the Seawolves a one-point lead with a free throw before Tobin Karlberg knocked down a mid-range hook shot for a 78-75 lead. On the ensuing possession for Central, Gennett was fouled and sent to line. He knocked down both of his shots at the charity stripe, cutting the deficit to 78-77.
On the Seawolves' next possession, Rowlands went to the line again. He went 0-for-2; his second free throw caromed to
Isaiah Banks for the rebound. The Wildcats' pressure on the offensive glass paid off when Gennett came down with an offensive board on the next possession as the clock had whittled down to 25 seconds.
Coming out of their final timeout, the Wildcats found Smith with 13 seconds left for a jumper and a 79-78 lead. Anchorage reclaimed a one-point lead, 80-79 with a pair of free throws from Rowlands and just nine seconds left in the period.
With their final possession, the Wildcats looked to Smith again. The senior delivered, knocking down the game-winning basket.
After being outscored 41-34 in the first half, the Crimson and Black responded with a 36-29 mark in the second stanza. Central finished with a shooting percentage of 48.5. In the second half, the 'Cats shot 53.9 percent, while holding the Seawolves to a mark of just 38.7 percent. They allowed just a pair of three-pointers in the back end, after the Seawolves knocked down six in the first half. The Wildcats outrebounded the Seawolves 45-37 overall and 14-13 in offensive boards. Anchorage led for 38:14 total, while Central held the advantage for 0:52.
Thompson finished with 17 points, while Poquette (14), and Gennett (10) also tallied double digit scoring efforts. Gennett recorded a double-double, snagging 10 rebounds.
Central Washington is back on the road for a pair of GNAC games next week. They play at Western Oregon on Thursday (Feb. 17) at 5:15 pm, before traveling to Saint Martin's on Saturday (Feb. 19). Tip-off is scheduled for 5:15 pm as well in Lacey.
