ELLENSBURG, Wash. – The Central Washington University men's basketball team (4-2) grinded out a big win Friday night after defeating Chico State (1-1) 94-89. Jordan Clark hit a three-pointer as time expired in regulation to force overtime for the 'Cats.
 
Quoting Head Coach Brandon Rinta
"The team showed a lot of toughness tonight, fighting back to win in overtime. Chico is a good team and really got it going offensively tonight. Everyone that came into the game had a hand in helping us find a way. Eli and Jamari hit some big threes to keep them spread out defensively. Jordan and Brad carried us with their leadership and performance on the court."
 
Notable Stats

• Bradley Swillie led the Wildcats with 28 points, followed by Clark with 23.
• Swillie also led the 'Cats–going 10-17 for .588 from the field.
• Garrett Marrs and Calvin Sisk showed up under the hoop–each recording two offensive rebounds and five defensive boards.
• Clark passed well with six assists, followed by Eli Williams with four.
• Sisk guarded the hoop with three blocks, including a big swat in the overtime period, while Marrs led in takeaways with two steals.

 
First Half

• Chico State opened the game with a strong run to take an 8-3 lead.
• Central responded with Jalen Childs getting a layup, followed by Swillie dropping a three-pointer to tie it up at 8-8.
• Chico took another lead before CWU took over and turned it into a 14-10 lead.
• Chico State then got an 8-4 run, tying the game at 18-18.
• Central got the lead again, but Chico stormed back with a 10-7 run to take a 28-25.
• Then, CWU responded with five straight points to retake the lead at 30-28.
• The teams then battled through the end of the first half, with Central taking a narrow 37-36 lead into halftime.

 
Second Half

• Chico stormed out of the gate in the second half–scoring eight unanswered points to take a 44-37 lead.
• CWU fought to keep the score close, but Chico State kept the pressure on–holding a steady lead.
• Central finally found the tie with 7:17 remaining, as Marrs hit a huge three-pointer and drew a foul for the and-one. He would drop the free throw to bring the score to 65-65.
• Chico found the points to keep its lead as the time kept falling.
• CWU kept the score close but couldn't find the tie as time approached the 2:00 marker.
• Then, Central found a chance as Williams hit a three-pointer with four seconds left to make it a 78-79 game.
• The Wildcats fouled Chris Holley almost immediately as he took the inbound pass to set up two free throws with three seconds left.
• Holley hit both shots to make it a three-point lead, and on the ensuing possession for Central, Clark took a quick inbound pass, brought the ball to the top of the key and took a last-second heave that hit the backboard and fell through to tie the game at the buzzer, as Nicholson Arena erupted.

 
Overtime

• Central wasted no time to begin overtime, as Williams hit a three-pointer to take an 84-81 lead.
• The clock continued to run until 3:17 as Calvin Sisk hit a dunk to give CWU a five-point lead.
• Chico State responded with a layup and two free throws to cut the lead to one.
• Then, with :24 remaining, Chico began fouling, with Swillie dropping both of his free throws.
• Chico answered with a jumper to keep the lead to one point and then fouled Clark.
• Clark proved to be the best person for the moment–hitting both free throws and then being fouled two more times and dropping all four, as time expired and Central achieved the comeback to win 94-89 in overtime.

 
Up Next
The Wildcats' home stand continues tomorrow, as they take on the visiting Walla Walla Wolves at 7:00 p.m. in Nicholson Arena.