BELLINGHAM, Wash - Central Washington men's basketball sunk Western Washington completing the 84-82 road upset on Thursday night. Samaad Hector led the 'Cats to victory with a season high 22 points.
 
QUOTING HEAD COACH BRANDON RINTA
"Really Impressed with the effort this team gave tonight. We did not get off to a great start, but they stuck together and adjusted to what we needed to do. Matt and Samaad were big on the offensive glass tonight. Our ability to grab 15 offensive rebounds was the difference."

Rinta added, "Brock did a great job of creating scoring opportunities for everyone all night. When they tied it up late Matt and Brock responded with two big plays and our defense stepped up to get three straight stops to close it out."

Samaad Hector said the following about the victory, "I thought we played as a team and had a lot of great effort plays. We played good defense the last 35 minutes of the game." 
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Vikings came out of the gate hot going on a 8-0 run. Banks hit a floater in transition to put the 'Cats on the board. Samaad Hector woke up the Wildcats offense sparking an 11-2 run scoring six points himself and helping the Wildcats grab their first lead 18-16 with 10:38. Western Washington countered, but the three ball from Central helped maintain the lead. Matt Poquette came up big in the final two minutes with a momentum shifting block and a jumper at the other end. The Wildcats went into the locker room with a 44-37 advantage.

Central Washington controlled the glass in the first half, hauling in 23 boards to the Vikings 16. The Wildcats utilized ten offensive rebounds to create second chances leading to thirteen second chance points. The 'Cats shot 45% from the floor to WWU's 41.9%.

The Vikings came out strong in the second half, scoring the first five points and cutting into the lead. Brock found Samaad who nailed a three-pointer. On the ensuing possession, Poquette finished a crafty spinning layup to put the 'Cats up 53-49 with 14:42 left.

With 8:57 remaining Jonathan Ned hit a tough jumper for WWU cutting the 'Cats lead to 70-66. Back-to-back scores from Hector and Poquette put CWU up 79-74 with 3:39 left.

It was do or die time for the Vikings. D'Angelo Minnis nailed a floater from the free-throw line. On the following possession, Ned connected on a three to tie the game at 79 with 2:13 remaining.

Seniors Gilbert and Poquette came up clutch down the stretch. Poquette buried two free throws to put the 'Cats up 81-79. Gilbert iced the game with a steal and a reverse layup as the Wildcats defeated Western Washington 84-82 for their third win in a row.

On the night, Samaad Hector had a season high scoring 22 points and hauled in 9 rebounds. Poquette put up a double-double with 17 points and 10 boards. Brock Gilbert scored 15 points alongside 9 assists.

Isaiah Banks, who provided a spark on both ends in the first half, finished with 12 points. The Wildcats shot 47.1% from the floor, cashed in 8 threes, and made 10-14 from the charity stripe.

In the loss, the Vikings had four players score in double figures: BJ Kolly 18, Jonathan Ned 17, D'Angelo Minnis 12, and Lucas Holden 11. Western Washington shot 47.6% from the field, made 10 threes, and converted 12-13 from the free-throw line.
 
UP NEXT
The Wildcats look to continue their winning ways finishing up their road trip at Simon Fraser Saturday, January 21^st at 7:00 p.m.