ELLENSBURG, Wash. – The Central Washington University women's basketball team dominated from start to finish over the visiting Westminster Griffins Saturday afternoon. Sunny Huerta once again led the Wildcats in points, knocking down 22 in the game.
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
 

• Final: Central Washington (73), Westminster (40)
• Records: CWU (11-3), WU (2-9)
• Location: Nicholson Arena, Ellensburg, Wash.

 
QUOTING HEAD COACH RANDI RICHARDSON-THORNLEY:

"I'm very pleased with our team's effort and ability to make adjustments today. We had great intent for 40 minutes, and that's a great way to return from break. Now it's time to gear up for the very challenging conference season ahead."

HOW IT HAPPENED:
 

• The Wildcats struck first after a steal by Asher Cai who connected with Capri Sims for the fastbreak layup just 38 seconds into the game for the 2-0 lead.
• Huerta scored her first points of the night on the next Wildcat possession making it a 4-0 lead before Westminster nabbed their first bucket to make it 4-2 CWU.
• The Wildcats used a 6-0 lead thanks to back-to-back threes from Malia Smith and Cai to put CWU up by double-digits 12-2 with 4:56 left in the first quarter.
• The Griffins used a 5-0 run of their own to slice the 'Cat lead in half 12-7 before CWU responded with back-to-back threes by Huerta and Keira Marsh to end the first quarter with the crimson and black up 18-7.
• Westminster got a quick four points to open the second quarter prompting Coach Richardson-Thornley to call a quick timeout.
• The timeout proved effective as the 'Cats went on a 6-0 run.
• A jumper from Huerta followed by a three from Smith saw the 'Cats lead increase to 19, 32-13 with 2:56 left in the second quarter.
• Huerta snuck a jumper in before the buzzer to end the first half with CWU leading 36-17.
• Both teams exchanged baskets to start the third quarter before the crimson and black went on a 13-0 run to make it a 53-21 Wildcat lead with 4:07 left in the third quarter.
• Cai would nail a pair of free throws, but the Griffins got the last score of the quarter, making the score 58-29 in favor of CWU heading into the final 10 minutes.
• Westminster flamed five straight points to open the fourth quarter before a three-pointer by Annalee Coronado put the 'Cats on the board for the fourth quarter.
• The Wildcats followed up Coronado's three with 10 straight points thanks to back-to-back threes from Marsh and Smith as well as buckets from Marsh and Shelby Blodgett.
• The Griffins ended the game on a 6-2 run, but CWU came out on top 73-40 to make it eight straight wins for the Wildcats.

 
STATS FROM THE GAME:
 

• Huerta led all scores in the afternoon with 22, adding one rebound, one assist, two blocks, and two steals.
• Cai tacked on 18 points which she paired with seven rebounds, three assists, one block, and three steals.
• Smith added 12 points off the bench while also snagging three rebounds.
• Marsh finished the game with eight points while adding two rebounds and a block while Coronado had five points, three rebounds, six assists, one block, and two steals.
• Blodgett had four points, three rebounds, and a steal while Sims added two points, three rebounds, and a steal.
• Aliyah Finch added two points, four rebounds, and a steal.
• Tori Maeda had four rebounds, five assists, and a steal while Riley Johnson had one assist and Rylee Leishman had one rebound.
• The Wildcats finished the game shooting 46 percent on their field goal attempts, 39.3 percent on their three-point tries and went four for four at the free throw line.
• CWU held Westminster to 30 percent shooting, 33.3 percent on their three-point attempts, and 75 percent from the free throw line.
• It was tight, but the Wildcats won the rebound battle 36-35.

 
SERIES HISTORY:
 

• This was the fifth-ever meeting between the two squads.
• CWU now leads the series 3-2.
• The Wildcats have won three straight against the Griffins.
• CWU has won both matchups in Ellensburg.

 
UP NEXT:
 

• The Wildcats will head back into GNAC play welcoming 21^st-nationally ranked Montana State Billings (11-3, 2-0 GNAC) on Thursday, January 4^th at 5:15 p.m.
• CWU will then host Seattle Pacific (5-7, 2-0 GNAC) on Saturday, January 6^th at 4:00 p.m.