SAN DIEGO, Calif. – The Central Washington University Wildcats men's basketball team (4-3) escaped a close battle to upset the #13 Point Loma Nazarene University Sea Lions (7-2) Saturday evening in the closing match of the PLNU Thanksgiving Classic.

Quoting Head Coach Brandon Rinta
"That wasn't just a good win for this team, that was a good win for this program. Point Loma has one of the best teams in the region this year. For these guys to find the level of play it takes to beat them on their home court says a lot about them."

Notable Stats

• Garrett Anderson led the Wildcats in points with 17 total.
• Mitch Brizee earned a double-double after recording 10 points and 10 rebounds.
• Jordan Clark led the team in assists with four total.
• Maverick Sanders led in steals with four.

First Half

• The game began a strong battle as both teams fought to keep the score close.
• With the score tied at 12-12, the Sea Lions caught a surge, scoring 12 straight points to lead 24-12.
• Central returned the favor by scoring 13 straight points to take a 25-24 lead.
• Point Loma got three points from Zack Paulsen to retake the lead at 28-25 but was answered by a Sanders layup and four free throws for a 31-28 CWU lead.
• Wynton Brown got the last score of the half for Point Loma on a layup to finish the first half 31-30 with the Wildcats in the lead.

Second Half

• Brown started the second half like the first ended, scoring on a layup to take the lead 32-31.
• The Wildcats and Sea Lions continued to trade the lead for the next few minutes before CWU began to build on its lead, getting the score to 53-45 after a Cavin Holden three-pointer.
• The 'Cats held the lead going into the final minute, but Point Loma began to show momentum as Paulsen scored a three to trail by four points.
• Anderson hit two free throws to extend the lead to six, but Paulsen again had a three-point shot and was fouled by Sanders, forcing the and-one.
•  The and-one was no good and Brizee was fouled on the following play. He went 1-2 to make the score 69-65.
• Paulsen again had a chance with four seconds left and hit the three-pointer as time expired. However, no foul was called and the Crimson and Black escaped with the 69-68 upset over the Sea Lions.

Up Next
The Wildcats return home next Thursday, Dec 5 to kick off GNAC play when the Simon Fraser Red Leafs come to town. Tip-off from Nicholson Arena is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.