ELLENSBURG, Wash. – The Central Washington women's basketball team (20-7, 12-6 GNAC) will look towards the GNAC Tournament looking to make themselves back-to-back GNAC Tournament champions. Their first test comes on Thursday when they face off against the Simon Fraser Red Leafs (10-12, 8-10 GNAC) with a 5:15 p.m. tip-off from Carver Gym on the campus of Western Washington University in Bellingham, Wash.
 
GAME INFORMATION
 
Thursday, March 2^nd
5:15 p.m.
Central Washington vs. Simon Fraser
WECU Court at Carver Gym
Bellingham, Wash.
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LAST TIME OUT
 
The Wildcats are coming off a weekend split on the road at Saint Martin's and Western Oregon. The Wildcats first reached the century mark for the first time since 2013 in a 100-74 victory over the Saints from SMU on Thursday before falling 72-83 to the Wolves of WOU on Saturday.
 
Against SMU the Wildcats had four players finish in double-figures led by Samantha Bowman with 21 points, who also led the game in rebounds with 12. Asher Cai also finished with a double double with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Ashley Schow had the best game of her young career with 18 points while Valerie "Sunshine" Huerta also added 16 points. Tori Maeda finished with 10 assists to lead CWU.
 
The 'Cats collectively shot 59.2 percent from the floor, 48.3 percent from three-point range, and 66.7 percent from the free-throw line.
 
On Saturday at WOU the Wildcats once again saw Bowman lead the game in points and rebounds with 29 points and 17 rebounds. Huerta added on 24 points of her own. Bowman added on two blocks and three steals with Maeda also tallying three steals.
 
The Wildcats shot 42.3 percent from the floor, 24 percent from three-point range, and 66.7 percent from the free-throw line.
 
QUOTING HEAD COACH RANDI RICHARDSON-THORNLEY
 
"We've been working all year to get to this point and now we are here. We need to savor the moment, not shy away from the thing's that got us here and go for what we want. I'm excited to see how this group steps up to these post season moments. SFU will present some great challenges to us out of the gate and we need to show up and execute at a high rate on both sides of the ball to give ourselves a chance."
 
SCOUTING THE RED LEAFS
 
This will be the third meeting between the Red Leafs and the Wildcats with a split between both squads during the regular season. SFU first took a big 57-65 victory when the Wildcats hosted them in Moses Lake, but the Wildcats sought revenge in an 88-81 victory up in Burnaby, B.C.
 
It'll be another matchup between the top two scoring leaders of the GNAC as SFU is led by Jessica Wisotzki who is averaging 21.4 points per game. Gemma Cutler and Jessica's sister Sophia are also averaging double-figures at 10.5 and 10.4 points per game, respectively. Cutler has led the charge defensively for SFU averaging 8.7 rebounds per game and collecting 60 blocks on the season so far. Sophia Wisotzki has dished out the most assists at 74 this season while Makenna Gardner has thieved the most steals at 32.
 
Simon Fraser is shooting 40.3 percent from the floor, 33.9 percent from three-point attempts, and 70.7 percent from the free-throw line.
 
UP NEXT
 
Montana State Billings will await the winner of this game in the second round of the GNAC Tournament which will happen on Friday at 5:15 p.m. from Bellingham.
 
THE GNAC TOURNAMENT
 
Participants (In Seeded Order)
 

1. Western Washington
2. Montana State Billings
3. Central Washington
4. Alaska Anchorage
5. Seattle Pacific
6. Simon Fraser

 
Schedule
 
Thursday, March 2^nd
 
6. Simon Fraser vs. 3. Central Washington 5:15 p.m.
5. Seattle Pacific vs. 4. Alaska Anchorage 7:30 p.m.
 
Friday, March 3^rd
 
3/6 winner vs. 2. Montana State Billings 5:15 p.m.
4/5 winner vs. 1. Western Washington 7:30 p.m.
 
Saturday, March 4^th
 
Winner of 3/6 & MSUB vs. winner of 4/5 & WWU 7:30 p.m.
 
Looking for more information or planning on attending the game, click HERE