ELLENSBURG, Wash. – The Central Washington women's basketball team started off senior weekend with a big 88-63 win over Alaska Fairbanks inside Nicholson Pavilion.
Samantha Bowman led all scores with 33 points as well as nabbing 13 rebounds for another double-double.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
- Final: Central Washington 88, Alaska Fairbanks 63
- Records: CWU (17-6, 9-5 GNAC), UAF (4-16, 1-12 GNAC)
- Location: Nicholson Pavilion | Ellensburg, Wash.
QUOTING HEAD COACH RANDI RICHARDSON-THORNLEY:
"I'm proud of our response in the second half, especially the 3rd quarter. UAF went on some big runs in the game and we were able to bounce back and respond. That says a lot about the character and growth of this group."
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Nanooks struck first, however Sunshine Huerta and Bowman would put the team on her back in the first quarter scoring all but two points for the Wildcats as CWU would lead 21-13 to end the first.
- A Sunshine three to open the second quarter gave the Wildcats their first double-digit lead on the night, as the 'Cats would go on to lead 42-22 at one point, but Sam Tolliver kept the Nanooks in the game draining three three-pointers with less than a minute and a half of the quarter to see CWUs lead cut to 44-33 heading into halftime.
- A 11-5 run by the Wildcats to open the third quarter saw the lead for CWU balloon back up to 17, before the Nanooks went on a run of their own to cut the lead back down to eight, but then the Wildcats shooting went hot as the 'Cats went on to lead UAF 71-52 after three quarters.
- The Wildcats started the fourth quarter with putting the game to bed in mind, starting the quarter on an 11-0 run, and limiting the Nanooks to 11 points in the quarter to cruise to the 88-63 victory.
STATS FROM THE GAME:
- Bowman led the Wildcats in scoring and rebounds dropping 33 points to go with her 13 rebounds.
- Sunshine also notched double figure scoring with 17 points.
- Bowman finished with two blocks and four out of the Wildcats 10 steals, while Ashley Schow ate up four blocks on the night.
- Tori Maeda dished out the most assists with eight to go with her eight points on the night.
- The Wildcats had all 10 players who saw the floor tonight score with 19 bench points coming from that team effort.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:
- This was the 40th meeting between the two squads since the 2002-03 season with the Wildcats holding a 30-10 advantage in the series, and on an 11-game winning streak.
UP NEXT:
- The Wildcats will welcome the Alaska Anchorage Seawolves (14-8, 6-7 GNAC) for CWUs senior day celebration, as the Wildcats will honor Bowman, Maeda, Kiera Bush, and Jenna Troy for everything they've done for Wildcat basketball and Wildcat nation the past number of years. Tip-off is set for 4:00 p.m. from inside Nicholson Pavilion on Saturday.
WILDCAT SOCIALS:
- Twitter - @CWU_WBB
- Instagram - @CWUWomensBBall
- Facebook - CWUAthletics
