ELLENSBURG, Wash. – Central Washington men's basketball (8-3, 1-1- GNAC) crossed the century mark again on Tuesday night to beat Evergreen State 108-79. The 'Cats wrapped up 2023 with three straight home wins.
Samaad Hector led Central Washington with a game-high 22 points and eight rebounds.
QUOTING HEAD COACH BRANDON RINTA
"That was a great way to end 2023 with this team on a three game win streak. We will take a break and look forward to coming back to GNAC play after the new year."
NOTABLE STATS
FIRST HALF
- Seth Dawson made a layup and Camron McNeil nailed two threes to jump start the 'Cats.
- Jayden Upshawn drove to the basket and rolled in a layup to get the Geoducks within four. A three from Hector followed by Anjaylo Lloyd connecting from range stretch Central Washington's lead. With 12:21 left, the crimson and black had a 24-12 lead.
- With 9:04 remaining, the Wildcats went on an 18-3 run that put them up by 26. The run was highlighted five free throws and a three from Jordan Clark.
- The Geoducks had a spurt of offense in the last three minutes to cut the deficit to eleven at the break. After twenty minutes, Central Washington led 54-43.
- Central Washington hit eight threes and shot 58% from the floor.
SECOND HALF
- The first five minutes of the second half was a deadlock with consistent offense from both sides. Hector started and ended a 12-0 run that helped the 'Cats increase their lead. He started the run with a three and ended it with an electric slam dunk.
- The Geoducks didn't give up and kept fighting, scoring seven straight points, but the deficit was still 22.
- Maverick Sanders capitalized on a breakaway, elevated, and slammed it home, putting the exclamation mark on the Wildcats 108-79 victory.
UP NEXT
- The Wildcats will head home to enjoy the holidays, before ringing in the new year at home on January 4th against Montana State Billings.
