ARCATA, Calif. The Central Washington University Women's Basketball Team earned a 58-51 victory over Cal State East Bay Friday afternoon. 
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
 

• Final: Central Washington (58), Cal State East Bay (51)
• Records: CWU 1-0, CSUEB 0-1
• Location: Lumberjack Arena, Arcata, Calif.

 
QUOTING CWU HEAD WOMEN'S BASKETBALL COACH RANDI RICHARDSON: 
 
"We could never find a rhythm offensively in that game due to too many turnovers (29, many of which were unforced (26). EB had 26 points off our turnovers and 15 points at the line for 39 of their 51 points Our defense at points looked terrific and is what truly got us out of tonight with a  win. We are happy to get the win but need to tighten up some major controlables, start finding our rhythm and identity offensively, and come back tomorrow ready to improve."
 
How it happened:
 
·  Early on CSUEB took the lead with a lay-up by Taylor Eldredge.
·  Central Washington responded: Asher Cai got a jumper to tie it up 2-2. 
·  Through the rest of the quarter, both teams battled but the Wildcats edged ahead; the quarter ended with Central ahead 13-10.

• The 'Cats remained in the lead early in the second when Cai scored at 7:51 left in the second to make it 19-13 in favor of CWU. 

·  CSUEB tried to respond, with a free throw by Eldredge to pull within 12 (35-23) midway through the second. 
·  Central Washington kept control, both with scoring inside and capitalizing on turnovers by CSUEB. They entered halftime ahead by 10 points. , 28-18.  
·  The Wildcats started strong, quickly building to a 15-point lead, 35-20, courtesy of a 3-pointer by Cai and lay-ups from Sims. 
·  CSUEB made some attempts to close the gap (Eldredge with a lay-up to pull closer to 38-31). 
·  But at the end of the quarter, Central Washington maintained their double-digit lead — entering the 4th quarter.
·  CSUEB opened the quarter strong with an Eldredge lay-up at 9:57 to bring it to 42-38. 
·  Central Washington answered: a 3-pointer by Sierra Eddie increased their lead, followed by more buckets by Sims to push the margin back to seven, (45-38, then later 47-41). 
·  CSUEB made a run with Laihlah Carey hitting a 3-pointer for 45-41. 
·  Despite the push, the Wildcats held their composure, and didn't allow the deficit to shrink further meaningfully, and closed out the game.
·  Final score: Central Washington 58, Cal State East Bay 51. 
 
STATS FROM THE GAME:
 

• Asher Cai finished the game with 16 points, five rebounds, and three assists. 
• Capri Sims had 14 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and two steals. 
• Fiona Snashall grabbed her first career Wildcat pints with 14, adding nine rebounds, two blocks, and one steal. 
• Kayla Thornton added two points, four rebounds, and one steal while Rylee Leishman added two points, and two rebounds. 
• Sierra Eddie finished with five points, four rebounds, and one assist while Emily Shaw and Lylah Spring each added two points with Shaw tacking on one steal and Spring adding three rebounds. 
• Jordy DeMott added one point to go with two rebounds, three assists, and one steal. 
• The Pioneers were led by Taylor Eldedge who had 18 points, two rebounds, two assits, and three steals. 

SERIES HISTORY:
 

• The Wildcats are now 6-1 against Cal State East Bay. 
• CWU is on a five-game win-streak against EB. 
• The 'Cats are 4-0 against CSUEB in neutral site games. 

 
UP NEXT:
 

• The Wildcats will wrap up the weekend at Cal Poly Humboldt (0-1) tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. from Arcata, Calif. from inside Lumberjack Arena.