ELLENSBURG, Wash.- Central Washington men's basketball (8-10, 4-5 GNAC) returns to Nicholson Pavilion for the first time this season. The Wildcats host Seattle Pacific (13-5, 8-1 GNAC) Thursday, January 26^th at 7:30 p.m. and Montana State Billings (14-5, 8-1 GNAC) on Saturday, January 28^th at 6:15 p.m.

QUOTING HEAD COACH BRANDON RINTA
"We are looking forward to playing our first home games of the season this weekend in the PAV on campus.  It's going to be two very good match ups vs the two first place teams in the conference and two of the better teams in the West Region."
 
Rinta adds, "Seattle Pacific is the best offensive team in the country right now.  It's going to take a great effort defensively to slow them down. Montana State Billings is the best defensive team in our conference. They have great size and athleticism."
 
LAST TIME OUT
The Wildcats had a phenomenal weekend, upsetting rivals Western Washington 84-82 in Bellingham before traveling to Simon Fraser and coming away with a 72-65 victory.

The back and forth contest between the 'Cats and Red Leafs saw six lead changes in the first 20 minutes. An 11-2 run from the Crimson and Black put them up 34-31 at the break.

In the second half, Noah Pepper nailed a triple to spark the momentum for Central. Late in the game, The Red Leafs kept it close, but a five-point swing earned the 'Cats the victory.

Banks scored 14 points, Poquette added 13, and McNeil rounded out double-digit scorers with 10. Samaad Hector hauled in 6 boards and Brock dished out 11 assists.

The Wildcats shot 51.8% from the field, made three from beyond the arc, and went 11-18 from the charity stripe.
 
SCOUTING THE FALCONS
Seattle Pacific is ranked 2^nd in the GNAC with an 8-1 record. Most recently, the Falcons dismantled 24^th ranked Montana State Billings 72-59 at home for their 7^th straight victory.

Seattle Pacific opened up the game with a 14-2 run, but Montana State Billings chipped away at the lead to make it 17-11 in favor of the Falcons. Kelton Samore nailed a turnaround jumper for the Falcons to take a 35-26 lead into the break.

Seattle Pacific took control of the game with a 21-9 run that lasted over seven minutes as they coasted through the second half to win 72-59.

Shaw Anderson led the Falcons scoring 15 points on 6-11 from the floor. Bilal Shabazz added 17 points to go with 8 rebounds. Zack Paulsen and Casson Rouse each put up 10 points and Maui Sze, Syon Blackmon, and Kelton Samore all had 9 points.
 
SCOUTING THE YELLOWJACKETS
Montana State Billings is ranked at the top of the conference at 14-5 overall and 8-1 in GNAC play. On Saturday, they fell 59-72 to Seattle Pacific University.

The Yellowjackets couldn't climb out of an early deficit and at the half found themselves down by 9, 26-35. Unfortunately for MSUB, the Falcons opened up the second half with a gargantuan 21-9 run ending the hopes for a comeback.

Carrington Wiggins scored 24 points shooting a perfect 8-8 from the line. Bilal Shabazz scored 17 points and hauled in 8 boards. Steven Richardson put up 9 points for MSUB.

The Yellowjackets shot 37.5% from the field, 17% from beyond the arc, and converted 12-14 from the free-throw line.
 
LOOKING AHEAD
The Wildcats return home is brief, as they travel to Alaska next week. The 'Cats square off with Alaska Fairbanks (7-10, 2-7 GNAC) Thursday, February 2^nd at 8 p.m. and Alaska Anchorage (9-9, 3-6 GNAC) on Saturday, February 4^th at 8:30 p.m.