FAIRBANKS, Alaska.—Kassidy Malcolm scored 24 points as Central Washington (14-4, 7-2 GNAC) defeated Alaska Fairbanks (2-13, 1-9 GNAC) 67-52, in GNAC women's basketball on Wednesday. The Wildcats will challenge the Nanooks once more tomorrow night before heading over to Alaska Anchorage on Saturday.
 
Wednesday's victory lifts the Wildcats win-streak to nine, tying the longest winning streak of the programs DII era set during the 2006-07 season.
 
"There are a lot of take aways from tonight," said head coach Randi Richardson-Thornley. "First and foremost, we have to give better effort for the full forty minutes. UAF outhustled us on the boards and in transition. Kass had a great game and was a consistent presence for us tonight. We have to win the recovery battle, improve on some key things, and be ready to come back better tomorrow."
 
Malcolm was a perfect 9-9 at the charity stripe. The senior forward also grabbed seven rebounds and added three assists. Malcolm's performance marks her eighth 20-point game thus far this season.
 
Samantha Bowman, the nation's leading rebounder, grabbed a game-high 19 boards to go along with scoring 14 points.
 
The Nanooks found themselves with shooting troubles early, unable to maintain offense as they shot just 27.3 percent from the floor and 16.7 percent from beyond the arc. The Wildcats capitalized, taking the lead with 4:00 left in the first and not giving the Nanooks any breathing room.
 
While being outrebounded 15-25, the Wildcats gave up just five turnovers and led it 37-29 at the half.
 
The Wildcats took advantage of miscues by the Nanooks outscoring them 9-6 in points off of the glass in the second half. Remaining composed, Central gave up just five personal fouls between the final two quarters.
 
Central took their largest lead of the night on a pair of free throws by Brinley Hagemeier, 67-49.
 
While the Nanooks outscored the Wildcats in the post 36-22, the Wildcats held them to shooting just 29.5 percent from the floor, 15.0 percent from beyond the arc and 60.0 percent from the charity stripe.
 
The Wildcats return to Alaska Airlines Gymnasium tomorrow night for a rematch against the Nanooks. Tipoff is scheduled for 6:15 p.m. PST.