ELLENSBURG, Wash. – Central Washington men's basketball travels to Bellingham, Washington for the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Tournament starting this weekend. The Wildcats face Western Oregon on Thursday March 2^nd at 2:15 p.m.
 
QUOTING HEAD COACH BRANDON RINTA
"There are no secrets when you are playing a team for the third time. That is magnified when you played the same team five days earlier. Both of our games vs Western Oregon came down to the buzzer. I expect it to be the same on Thursday."

LAST TIME OUT
Central Washington ended the regular season with a win at the buzzer over Western Oregon. Samaad Hector buried a three as time expired to give the 'Cats the 77-75 victory.

Western Oregon took advantage in the first half and went into the locker room up 39-33. Camron McNeil carried the 'Cats in the first twenty minutes, scoring 16 of CWU's 33 points.

In the second half, Isaiah Banks converted a layup to give the Wildcats the 42-41 lead, their first of the game. Camron McNeil hit a spinning layup to put Central Washington ahead 72-71 with thirty-three seconds left. Western Oregon came up clutch regaining the lead with a jumper from Cameron Cranston.

On the final play, Banks hit Gilbert with a pass, Gilbert drove left and kicked it out to Samaad Hector who buried the three to give the Wildcats the victory. Camron McNeil propelled the 'Cats and led all scorers with 29 points.

SCOUTING WESTERN OREGON
Western Oregon is the fifth seed in the GNAC tournament. The Wolves went 12-13 overall and 9-9 in conference play during the regular season.

WOU's leading scorer is Cameron Cranston who averages 16.7 points per game. Cameron Benzel averages 11.7 points per game and hauls in 6.1 boards a contest. John Morrill Keeler leads the Wolves on the glass, averaging 6.4 rebounds a game.

Jahville Collins is Western Oregon's sharpshooter hitting 49% from beyond the arc. As a team, the Wolves are shooting 67% from the free-throw line.

MATCHUP HISTORY
The Wildcats are 20-20 against Western Oregon all time. Last year the 'Cats faced the Wolves in the semifinal of GNAC tournament and won that game 65-64. In the win, Matt Poquette led CWU scoring 14 points and grabbing seven rebounds.

LOOKING AHEAD
With a win on Thursday, the Wildcats would advance to the semifinals to play Saint Martin's on Friday, March 3^rd at 2:15 p.m.