ELLENSBURG, Wash. - The Central Washington women's basketball team opened up the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Tournament in smashing style in the 88-62 victory over the Simon Fraser Red Leafs. Samantha Bowman finished with another double double putting up 40 points and 14 rebounds in what would break the record for most points scored in a GNAC Tournament game. Bowman also broke the Wildcat single season points scored total, only needing six points prior to the matchup now making her points total this season come to 622. Bowman also broke the GNAC record for career rebounds, needing nine before the game to make her career total 1,187. Tori Maeda also got in on the action setting a new GNAC Tournament single game record of assists with her 12 on the night. 

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Final: Central Washington 88, Simon Fraser 62
Records: CWU (21-7), SFU (10-13)
Location: WECU Court at Carver Gym 

QUOTING HEAD COACH RANDI RICHARDSON-THORNLEY:

"I'm incredibly proud of the ladies and how we came out tonight. We gave great efforts on both sides of the ball in the first half. Riley took on the great challenge of defending Jessica Wisotzki tonight and offensively we found our rhythm early. Sam and Tori had great nights and led our young group on their first postseason game. Now it's onto the recovery battle for a big game tomorrow night vs. MSUB."

HOW IT HAPPENED:
 

• The Wildcats started their scoring right off the bat building up a 13-point lead before the media timeout halfway through the first quarter, followed by a nine-point outburst from Bowman saw the 'Cats lead 31-12 at the end fo the first. 
• Asher Cai started out the scoring in the second quarter posting up five quick points helping set the tone to see the Wildcats lead bloat to 33 at half, 57-24. 
• Bowman would get the first score of the third quarter, but Simon Fraser was determined to not go out without a fight outscoring the Wildcats 26-12 in the third quarter to see the 'Cats lead diminish to 69-50 heading into the final 10 minutes. 
• Bowman would start the final quarter blazing hot, knocking down the first nine Wildcat points, Claire Heitschmidt wrapped up the game with nine of the final 12 points, with Malia Smith nabbing the final three to see the 'Cats go on in the GNAC Tournament by an 88-62 score. 

STATS FROM THE GAME:
 

• Bowman finished with 40 points and 14 rebounds to lead everyone in each category. 
• Heitschmidt provided a major boost off the bench adding up 12 points. 
• Cai and Sunshine Huerta each added on 11 and 10 points, respectively.
• Maeda finished with 12 assists, a new career high. 
• Riley Johnson made her third ever start and dropped eight points.
• Ashley Schow and Smith each added four and three points, respectively. 
• Maeda and Huerta provided all the steals tonight with three and two, respectively.
• Cai provided two blocks while Huerta and Schow each added on one. 
• The Wildcats finished 50 percent from the field and 44 percent from three-point range. 

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:
 

• The Wildcats now own a two game winning streak over the Red Leafs, but are behind in the series 13-16. 

UP NEXT:
 

• The Wildcats will be back in action tomorrow when they square off against the second seeded Montana State Billings Yellow Jackets (23-6) inside Carver Gym in Bellingham, Wash. with a 5:15 p.m. tip-off.