ELLENSBURG, Wash. – Central Washington (4-2) begins Great Northwest Athletic Conference play on the road this week against Western Oregon (3-3) and #6 Saint Martin's (7-0).

GAME INFORMATION
Thursday, November 30^th
5:15 p.m.
Central Washington vs Western Oregon
New PE Building
 
Saturday, December 2^nd
5:15 p.m.
Central Washington vs #6 Saint Martin's
Marcus Pavilion
 
QUOTING HEAD COACH BRANDON RINTA
"These early season conference games have a different feel as teams are still working out their identities and rhythm. Starting out on the road at Western Oregon and Saint Martin's will be a good test for us. Western Oregon has the best passing point guard in the nation surrounded by shooters and an all-conference forward. Saint Martin's is undefeated and the #6 team in the nation."

SCOUTING THE WOLVES
Western Oregon is 3-3 overall and coming off two wins. The Wolves beat Sonoma State 75-69 and then won a close 80-71 contest against Linfield. The Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) picked Western Oregon to finish 8^th in the conference Preseason Poll.

The Wolves are putting up 79 points per game and shooting 46% from the floor. Qiant Myers is the top scorer for Western Oregon, averaging 17.3 points per game. Myers is the Wolves facilitator and has 52 assists in six games.

GNAC Preseason All-Conference Team Honoree Cameron Benzel averages 12.8 points a night and is shooting 63% from the field. Benzel also leads the Wolves with 38 rebounds this season. Myers is not far behind him with 34 boards. Kris Cook and Jason Gallant are both averaging over double digits scoring 12.0 and 11.8 ppg respectively.

SCOUTING THE SAINTS
The Saints were picked to repeat as GNAC regular season champions. The Saints are backing up the preseason hype with a perfect 7-0 start. Saint Martin's undefeated start has them ranked 6^th in the nation.

Saint Martin's remained undefeated after beating Dominican 106-73 and Academy of Art 92-81 last week. The Saints are averaging 84.4 points per game while holding opponents to 72.1. GNAC Preseason All-Conference Team Selections Kyle Greeley and Tyke Thompson are picking up where they left off offensively last season. Greeley leads the team averaging 17.4 ppg and Thompson is putting up 10.9 ppg. Thompson leads the team on the glass with a staggering 52 boards.

Sophomore Kaden Hansen has had a great start to the season averaging 11.4 points per game. Hanson is shooting 45% from the floor, has made 14 from long range, and is active on the glass, corralling 20 defensive rebounds. The Saints Maestro is the same as last season in Jaden Nielsen-Skinner. Nielsen Skinner has dished out 24 assists in six games.  
 
LAST TIME OUT
Central Washington split at the Northwest Nazarene Thanksgiving Classic last weekend. The Wildcats lost to Point Loma 79-75 in overtime and then beat Azusa Pacific 81-47.

Anjaylo "Jello" Lloyd had a great weekend. Against Point Loma, he scored 26 points and hit six from beyond the arc. Lloyd added 14 points and four rebounds on Saturday against Azusa Pacific. Jordan Clark also put up double digits against Point Loma scoring, 16 points and shooting 7-11 from the floor.

Samaad Hector had a game-high 18 points and six rebounds against the Cougars.   

UP NEXT
The Wildcats wrap up 2023 with three non-conference games at home against Walla Walla, Cal State San Marcos, and Evergreen State.