ELLENSBURG, Wash. – Central Washington men's basketball returns to the hardwood after the holiday break. The 'Cats are on a three-game win streak but face tough competition this week, welcoming the top team in the GNAC, Montana State Billings, on Thursday before facing Seattle Pacific on Saturday.

QUOTING HEAD COACH BRANDON RINTA
"It has been a good break for the team, but we are excited to get back into the rhythm of playing games every week. Montana State Billings returns a lot of players off their national tournament team from last season. They are a veteran group that is playing well."

Rinta added, "Seattle Pacific has a very good shooting team led by the preseason player of the year Shaw Anderson." 

SCOUTING THE YELLOWJACKETS
Montana State Billings is the best in the GNAC with an 8-4 overall record and is 2-0 in conference play. The Yellowjackets beat Alaska Anchorage 66-59 in late November, then thumped Alaska Fairbanks 65-39 to kick off December. Montana State Billings leads the GNAC holding opponents to 49 points per game and 36.4% from the field.

Daniel Moody and Famous Lefthand lead the Yellowjackets offense. Moody averages 13.1 points per game and Lefthand averages 13. Moody leads the team in rebounds and blocks. He averages 8.3 rebounds per contest and has 15 blocks in 12 games. Two other Yellowjackets average over five rebounds a game: Emmanuel Ajanaku (5.4) and Zharon Richmond (5.3).

Jalen Tot is the main guard for Billings and leads the team with 38 assists. Tot and Lefthand have had success from beyond the arc this season for the Yellowjackets making 22 threes apiece.

SCOUTING THE FALCONS
Seattle Pacific is 8-7 overall and 1-1 in GNAC play. The Falcons are sixth in the conference and have won their past four games, including a big 80-75 home victory over Alaska Fairbanks on December 2^nd. Seattle Pacific faces Northwest Nazarene on Thursday before traveling to Ellensburg for Saturday's game.

The Falcons are led by GNAC Preseason player of the year Shaw Anderson. Anderson has lived up to his preseason hype through 15 games. He is averaging 21.3 points per game and 4.8 boards per game. Shaw has made 23 from beyond the arc and is shooting 50% from the floor. Additionally, Anderson leads Seattle Pacific with 40 assists.

Julian Mora averages 11.8 ppg and Trace Evans averages 11.1 ppg. Senior forward Kyle Luttinen is the Falcons long distance threat and has drained 35 threes this season.

LAST TIME OUT
Central Washington ended 2023 on a three-game winning streak and will look to extend that to five this week. The Wildcats beat Evergreen State 108-79 before the holidays. Central Washington is fifth in the GNAC, 8-3 overall and a 1-1 in conference play.

Samaad Hector leads the crimson and black, averaging 14.2 ppg and 8.4 rebounds per game. Anjaylo Lloyd is not far behind Hector, scoring 12.5 points per game. Lloyd leads the team from beyond the arc, sinking 22 threes in 11 games.

Maverick Sanders is a positive for the 'Cats on both ends of the floor. He averages 9.5 points per game and on defense he leads CWU with 12 blocks.

UP NEXT
Central Washington travels to Alaska next week to square off against Alaska Anchorage on Thursday, January 11^th at 8 p.m. and Alaska Fairbanks Saturday, January 13^th at 4:00 p.m.