ELLENSBURG, Wash. – Central Washington men's basketball earned the 86-81 overtime victory over rivals Western Washington on Senior Night in Nicholson Pavilion. The Wildcats sweep the Vikings for the first time since 2008.

QUOTING HEAD COACH BRANDON RINTA
"That was great to be able to send the seniors out with a big win like that in our last home game. Proud of how they came out in overtime to grab control of the game."

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Matt Poquette punctuated an opening 10-4 run with a jumper. The Vikings responded as Kai Johnson converted two tough layups to make it a three-point game. Landis Spivey cashed a baseline three extending the 'Cats lead to six.
• The game had a frantic back-and-forth pace and Camron McNeil took advantage of this finishing a layup in transition which gave Central Washington the 35-29 advantage with two minutes left in the first half.
• A 6-0 run put the 'Cats up 40-32 at the break.
• BJ Kolly struggled offensively in the first half scoring four points found his rhythm early in the 2^nd half scoring five quick points to cut into the deficit. The Crimson and Black kept responding and a layup from Matt Poquette put the 'Cats up 12 with over twelve minutes to play.
• Western Washington mounted a comeback, Daniel Hornbuckle's jumper made it 58-61. With four minutes remaining, Hornbuckle nailed a three bringing the Vikings within two.
• Camron McNeil hit a jumper with 1:23 left that put the 'Cats up 74-71. Deangleo Minnis came down the floor and finished a layup making it a one-point game. A foul sent BJ Kolly to the free throw line where he missed his first but made the second to tie the game and force overtime.
• To start overtime, Matt Poquette and Isaiah Banks carried the team scoring a combined seven points. Western answered each of Central's baskets with their own. Tied at 81 with 1:25 remaining Samaad Hector buried a clutch three that sent the crowd into a frenzy.
• At the end of the game, Western leaned on the hot hand of Kai Johnson who missed a three that would have tied it. Camron McNeil made two free throws to secure the thrilling victory for Central Washington.

NOTABLE STATS

• Central Washington outshot Western Washington from the field 50.7% to 45.8%. The 'Cats also won the board battle 39-35 and had six fast break points to Western's two.
• Camron McNeil led the Wildcats scoring a season-high 27 points. Poquette put up 23 points to go with eight boards and Isaiah Banks added 14 and collected five rebounds.
• For the Vikings, Kai Johnson scored 26 points. BJ Kolly contributed 16 points alongside eight rebounds. D'Angelo Minnis added 14 and Daniel Hornbuckle chipped in 11.

UP NEXT
The Wildcats play their final two games of the season next week. The top six teams get into the GNAC playoffs. The 'Cats win and losses from Alaska Anchorage and Alaska Fairbanks puts them in solo 6^th place. Central Washington travels to Lacey, Washington to take on Saint Martin's on Thursday at 7:30 and then square off with Western Oregon Saturday, at 4:15 p.m.