ELLENSBURG, Wash. – Central Washington men's basketball prepares for a home clash against GNAC foes Northwest Nazarene. The Wildcats are 10-5 overall and fifth in the GNAC with a 3-3 record. The Nighthawks are 8-6 overall and third in the GNAC with a 4-2 record.
QUOTING HEAD COACH BRANDON RINTA
"NNU is one of the best defensive teams in the league and one of the best offensive rebounding teams in the country. We are going to have to be ready for a very physical game on Saturday."
SCOUTING THE NIGHTHAWKS
The Nighthawks split games last week. NNU traveled to Alaska and beat Fairbanks 96-93 but fell to Alaska Anchorage 71-68 on Saturday. Junior guard Ryzin Bergersen had a great night in the win over Fairbanks. He shot 8-18 from the field, made five threes, and converted all four free throws on his way to 25 points.
Northwest Nazarene leads the GNAC in steals and is second in rebound margin. The Nighthawks average 8.8 steals per game and have a +4.9 rebound margin over opponents.
The Nighthawks have four players averaging double digit scoring. Gabriel Murphy leads the way. He averages 13 points per game and is third in the conference in rebounds, averaging 7.5 per contest. Murphy is elite on both ends of the floor and leads the team with 11 blocks. Tru Allen averages 12.9 ppg and Ryzin Bergersen puts up 12 ppg and has hit 31 from beyond the arc. Aaron Murphy rounds out the four double digit scorers averaging 10.7 points per game.
LAST TIME OUT
Central Washington also split their games in Alaska last week. The 'Cats fell to Alaska Anchorage 75-61 on Thursday before bouncing back with a 69-65 victory over Alaska Fairbanks on Saturday. Anjaylo Jello Lloyd led Central Washington, scoring 29 points in the win.
Samaad Hector and Jello are leading the Wildcats offense, both averaging 12.9 points per game.
Bradley Swillie and
Camron McNeil are putting up 9.7 and 9.3 points per game respectively.
Hector and
Maverick Sanders are the main rim protectors for Central Washington. Hector leads the team with 17 blocks while Sanders has 14.
Central Washington has the most success when they share the basketball and get the foul line. The 'Cats have 17+ assists in six of their ten wins. The team has made 10 or more free throws in six games this season, including a season high 23 made from the charity stripe against Cal State LA back in November. If Central Washington can get to the line and share the ball, they will set themselves up for success on Saturday.
UP NEXT
The 'Cats remain in Nicholson Arena for rivalry week. Central Washington faces archrivals Western Washington next Thursday at 7 p.m. After the rivalry game, CWU hosts Simon Fraser at 6 p.m. on Saturday.
