ELLENSBURG, Wash. – Central Washington men's basketball (6-10, 2-5 GNAC) looks to extend their winning streak when they take on conference foe Western Washington (10-7, 3-4 GNAC) Thursday, January 19^th at 7:00 p.m. and then travel to face Simon Fraser (6-11, 1-6 GNAC) on Saturday, January 21^st at 7:00 p.m.
 
GAME INFORMATION
Thursday, Jan. 19th
7:00 PM
At. Western Washington University
WECU Court at Carver Gym
Bellingham, Washington
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LIVE STATS

Saturday, Jan. 21st
7:00 PM
At. Simon Fraser University
West Gym
Burnaby, British Columbia
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LIVE STATS
 
 
QUOTING HEAD COACH BRANDON RINTA
"These are big games with two teams that we are next to in the standings as we head into the last weekend of the first round of conference play." Rinta added, "WWU has as much offensive firepower as any team in the conference. We are going to have to defend at a high level to slow them down. Simon Fraser is the biggest team in the conference. Their size has been giving their opponents issues."

LAST TIME OUT
Five Wildcats scored in double figures showcasing another impressive offensive performance in their 74-65 road win last Saturday against Northwest Nazarene. Central Washington took an early 14-9 advantage and capitalized on a 7-0 run to stretch the lead. At the break, the 'Cats led 39-31. CWU came out with the same energy in the second half. Matt Poquette nailed a fade away giving the Crimson and Black a thirteen-point advantage as they coasted to the 74-65 victory.

McNeil led CWU with 14 points going 6-10 from the field. On the glass, Poquette hauled in 7 rebounds to go with 11 points. Gennett finished with 13 points drilling two from beyond the arc. The Wildcats shot 56.3% from the field, made 7 threes, and went 13-19 from the charity stripe.
 
SCOUTING THE VIKINGS
Western Washington (10-7, 3-4 GNAC) is coming off a 73-75 loss last Saturday to Alaska Fairbanks and are currently tied for 4^th place in the GNAC. The Vikings had a 36-35 lead going into the break, but a 15-5 second-half run from Fairbanks put them up 11 with 7:19 to play. Western Washington fought back and cut it to two but couldn't hold off the Nanooks down the stretch.

Kai Johnson led all players with 18 points on 6-13 from the floor. Redshirt Freshman BJ Kolly scored 12 points, hauled in 9 boards, and recorded five blocks. D'Angelo Minnis chipped in 14 points and Darius Gary had 10.

The Vikings shot 38.5% from the floor, made nine threes, and went 14-19 from the free throw line.
 
SCOUTING THE RED LEAFS
Simon Fraser is currently 6-11 overall and 1-6 in GNAC play. The Red Leafs are coming off a 59-68 setback to Alaska Anchorage last Saturday. Simon Fraser will face Northwest Nazarene Thursday, January 19^th prior to taking on the Wildcats.

The Red Leafs struggled in the first half making just 7 baskets and 18 points. At the break, Anchorage led 29-18. Simon Fraser raced back in the second half, cutting it to two, 54-56 with just over three minutes remaining. Down the stretch, the Seawolves converted from the floor and the free-throw line holding off the comeback for the 68-59 victory.

Elliot Dimaculangan led the Red Leafs with 12 points on 5-9 from the floor. Jahmal Wright scored 11 points and Immanuel Oludele added 10.
 
LOOKING AHEAD
The Wildcats return home to Nicholson Pavilion to face Seattle Pacific (12-5, 7-1 GNAC) and Montana State Billings (14-4, 8-0 GNAC) next week. The 'Cats will take on Seattle Pacific on Thursday, January 26^th at 7:30 p.m. and will play Montana State Billings Saturday, January 28^th at 6:15 p.m.