SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. – Central Washington men's basketball opened their 2023-24 campaign with an 84-67 victory over Cal State Monterey Bay on Friday afternoon at the CCAA/GNAC Challenge. It was a team effort tonight, with eight Wildcats scoring at least seven points.

QUOTING HEAD COACH BRANDON RINTA
"That was a good win for the team. We had great energy all game. They were tough to guard in the first half, but the guys did a great job with some adjustments."

Rinta added, "Any time we can get 20 assists on 34 field goals and have 42 points in the paint on offense, that is a positive. Cam did a great job creating for others today leading us with seven assists."

NOTABLE STATS

• Bradley Swillie led the Wildcats, scoring 15 points on 6-9 from the floor and three triples. Seth Dawson put up twelve points, and Camron McNeil contributed 11 points and seven assists.
• Samaad Hector shot 5-6 from the field and tacked on a three en route to 11 points. Maverick Sanders led the team on the glass hauled in six boards.

FIRST HALF

• Cal State Monterey Bay scored the first eight points of the contest, but Central responded with a seven-point flurry to bring it within one in the opening five minutes. Bradley Swillie stepped up and netted a three with just under ten minutes left in the half, giving the 'Cats the 21-16 advantage.
• Central Washington was ahead by ten, but the momentum shifted at the seven-minute mark in favor of the Sea Otters. Jailen Nelson's triple sparked a 10-3 run that brought Cal State Monterey Bay within three.
• Carl Thorpe hit a layup for Central Washington and on the next possession, Anjaylo Lloyd nailed a jumper as the 'Cats closed out the half on an 11-4 run and took a 43-35 lead into the locker room.
• The story of the half was hot shooting and defensive rebounds. The Wildcats shot 47.2% from the field, 80% from the free throw line, and made five threes. The Crimson and Black hauled in 14 defensive boards and denied Cal State Monterey Bay second-chance opportunities.

SECOND HALF

• Bradley Swillie kept up the hot shooting for Central Washington with a jumper and back-to-back treys extending the 'Cats lead to 54-39. Jordan Clark nailed a jumper to put the Crimson and Black up 18 with 12 minutes to go.
• Cal State Monterey Bay used an eight-point run to gain some momentum, but Camron McNeil and Maverick Sanders would hit shots late that brought the lead back up to 18.
• Seth Dawson hit a late free throw and the 'Cats secured their first win of the season.