ELLENSBURG, Wash. – The Central Washington University women's basketball team (18-10, 9-7 GNAC) will wrap up their regular season with a battle against the Saint Martin's Saints (6-17, 4-12 GNAC) on Thursday. Saturday's feature against Western Oregon has been canceled due to WOU canceling the remainder of their season earlier this month. The CWU-WOU men's basketball game at 6:15 p.m. on Saturday is still scheduled to be played.
GAME INFORMATION
Thursday, February 29
5:15 p.m.
Central Washington vs. Saint Martin's
Nicholson Arena
Ellensburg, Wash.
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QUOTING HEAD COACH RANDI RICHARDSON-THORNLEY
"This is an important week to finish out strong heading into the playoffs. Saint Martin's is a gritty team who will do things to challenge us on both sides of the floor. This is a great opportunity to build and show more growth."
LAST WEEK
The Wildcats saw all five starters post double digits in an 81-69 victory over Northwest Nazarene last Saturday.
Sunny Huerta led the 'Cats with 18 points while
Capri Sims continued to build off her impressive Alaska trip adding 17 points and eight rebounds.
Asher Cai added 16 points, 10 rebounds, and two blocks.
Annalee Coronado drained 14 points while adding five assists and one steal while
Shelby Blodgett posted a new CWU career-high posting 13 points and 11 rebounds while adding two steals.
LAST MEETING
The Wildcats traveled to Saint Martin's and Western Oregon to open GNAC play, back on November 30 and December 2. The Wildcats came away with a 77-67 victory at WOU and a 69-48 victory at SMU.
At Western Oregon, Cai led the way with 20 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and one steal while Huerta added a double-double of 17 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, and one steal.
The Wildcats saw three players reach double-digits at St. Martin's led by Cai with a double-double of 15 points, 11 rebounds, one assist, three blocks, and one steal. Sims added 12 points and three rebounds while Huerta contributed 11 points, five rebounds, seven assists, and one steal.
SCOUTING THE SAINTS
Saint Martin's has gone 6-17 on the season and 4-12 in GNAC play while having a 1-8 record on the road. Last weekend the Saints earned one of their four conference victories in a weekend home split against the Alaska schools. They first fell on Thursday to Anchorage 64-50 before earning a 71-61 victory on Saturday against Fairbanks.
The Saints have been led by Anjel Galbraith and Shalyse Smith who are averaging 11.3 and 10.3 points per game this season. Smith and Lauryn Morris are tied for the most rebounds for SMU with each averaging 6.8 rebounds per game. Galbraith has given out the most assists and taken the most steals on the season with 88 assists and 50 steals. Sarah Lamet leads the Saints with 24 blocks on the season.
SMU is currently averaging 55.9 points per game while giving up 64.8 points per game to their opponents. Collectively, the Saints have shot 36.5 percent from the field, 25.6 percent on three-point attempts, and 65.1 percent at the free-throw line. On average, SMU has been outrebounded only averaging 33.5 rebounds per game compared to their opponents' 38.7.
UP NEXT
The Wildcats have already clinched their spot in the GNAC Tournament which will be hosted by CWU from Thursday, March 7 through Saturday, March 9. Central is currently slated fourth in the GNAC standings.
