ARCATA, Calif. – The Central Washington University Women's Basketball Team concluded their season-opening weekend with a huge victory over hosting Cal Poly Humboldt Saturday evening by a 73-66 score.
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
 

• Final: Central Washington (73), Cal Poly Humboldt (66)
• Records: CWU (2-0), CPH (0-2)
• Location: Lumberjack Arena, Arcata, Calif.

 
QUOTING CWU HEAD WOMEN'S BASKETBALL COACH RANDI RICHARDSON:
 
"I'm happy to get two wins out of this opening weekend. We were challenged a lot, stayed consistent, and weathered storms to find a way to win. I am so pleased with our composure and response. Asher and Capri stepped up big for us tonight scoring, rebounding, and knocking down some critical free throws.
 
However, we have a lot of takeaways as well that we need to improve prior to next weekend."


 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
 

• Cal Poly Humboldt opened the game with a quick seven points before Fiona Snashall dropped in a jumper to make it 7-2 CPH with 7:56 left in the first.
• The 'Jacks kept their distance, but a layup followed by a pair of free-throws by Capri Sims made it a one-point game, but Humboldt responded with a three to make it 15-11 with 2:52 left in the first.
• Lylah Spring drilled a jumper with Asher Cai following suit not long after, but a buzzer-beating jumper by Sims wrapped up the first quarter with the 'Cats taking the 17-15 lead.
• Both teams exchanged buckets to begin the second, but a three and a jumper by Snashall put CWU up 27-21 with 5:13 left in the second.
• Another jumper from Snashall followed by three free-throws saw the 'Cats lead make it to nine, but a jumper by Jordyn Smith of Cal Poly Humboldt before the half made it a 36-29 CWU lead at the break.
• CWU opened the third quarter steaming as Cai drained three free-throws followed by a three pointer which was followed by a layup from Sims to force the Lumberjacks to call a timeout with CWU up 44-29 with 8:06 left in the third.
• CPH came out of the timeout and slowly chipped away at the deficit going on an 8-0 run to make it 44-37 CWU with 5:10 left in the third.
• A 11-4 run by the 'Cats to end the quarter ballooned the lead back out to 14 as the 'Cats took a 55-41 lead heading into the final 10 minutes.
• The Lumberjacks began the fourth quarter with a 6-0 run to cut it to a 55-47 CWU lead with 8:26 left.
• The 'Cats responded everytime the 'Jacks chipped into the lead as the 'Cats took a 64-55 lead thanks to a pair of free-throws from Sims with 4:30 left.
• Back-to-back threes by the 'Jacks made it a 67-66 CWU lead to force the 'Cats to call a timeout with 26 seconds left in the game.
• A technical foul on Cal Poly Humboldt paired with a common foul saw Cai step to the line and drill four free-throws as the game would be capped off by Sims swishing a pair of free-throws herself to help the 'Cats earn the 73-66 victory.
• Cai was tabbed the Co-MVP of the weekend and was joined on the All-Tournament Team by Sims.
• Chloe Deharo of Northwest Nazarene was the other Co-MVP and joined Cai and Sims on the All-Tournament Team with Jordyn Smith of Cal Poly Humboldt and Taylor Eldredge of Cal State East Bay.

 
SERIES HISTORY:
 

• The 'Cats own the series 15-3.
• This was the first meeting between the two squads since November 20, 2009.
• The crimson and black are 7-2 against the 'Jacks in Arcata.

 
UP NEXT:
 

• The Wildcats will head to a familiar spot in Nampa, Idaho and Northwest Nazarene University to participate in the GNAC-PacWest Crossover.
• The 'Cats will first take on the Vanguard Lions (2-0) on Friday, November 21 at 4:00 p.m.
• They will conclude the weekend against the Westmont Warriors (2-0) on Saturday, November 22 at noon.
• All the action will come to you from inside the Johnson Sports Center.