NAMPA, Idaho – The Central Washington University Women's Basketball Team capped off another perfect weekend with a 58-41 victory over the Westmont Warriors in the GNAC-PacWest Crossover Saturday afternoon.
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
 

• Final: Central Washington (58), Westmont (41)
• Records: CWU (4-0), WC (2-2)
• Location: Johnson Sports Center (Nampa, Idaho)

 
QUOTING CWU HEAD WOMEN'S BASKETBALL COACH RANDI RICHARDSON:
 
"This was a great weekend for our team. Both Vanguard and Westmont are two very well coached and good basketball teams who have a ton of talent. I believe we showed growth this weekend on both sides of the ball which is what this time of the year is all about. Today our defense led us and we took steps forward in executing on that end of the floor. Offensively, we are starting to gel and you can see our identity starting to come through for longer stretches. We still have plenty of things to improve upon but we are grateful to get the wins and will enjoy this one today."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
 

• It was a slow start for both teams as Asher Cai's jumper at the 6:52 mark was the first points of the game.
• Almost two minutes later Cai drilled a three to make it 5-0 CWU with 5:03 left in the first.
• Westmont got on the board at the 3:55 mark and tied it up with a three of their own two minutes later to make it a 5-5 game.
• Another three by Westmont at the 58 second mark gave them their first lead but Rylee Leishman tied things up to send the teams to the second quarter with the game tied at eight apiece.
• The two teams exchanged a bucket before back-to-back treys from Fiona Snashall and Sierra Eddie sparked a 12-0 run by the 'Cats to make it 22-10 in favor of CWU.
• The squads traded baskets to end the first half with CWU on top 29-18.
• Both teams continued to trade blows to start the third as back-to-back buckets from Westmont cut it to a 35-28 CWU lead with 4:34 left in the third.
• The 'Cats answered with a huge 10-2 run to end the third with the crimson and black leading 45-30.
• Back-to-back threes by Emily Shaw and a free-throw each by Snashall and Capri Sims saw the 'Cats balloon the lead to 21, 53-32.
• The Warriors responded with six quick points to cut it to 53-38 in favor of CWU with 4:45 left.
• A bucket from Sims and a three from Eddie would conclude the scoring for CWU as Skyler Knight drilled a three for the Warriors to make it a 58-41 final victory for the 'Cats.

 
STATS FROM THE GAME:
 

• Sims led the 'Cats with 17 points, adding five rebounds, three assists, one block, and two steals.
• Cai tacked on 11 points, four rebounds, four assists, and two steals.
• Kayla Thornton had seven points, one assist, and two steals while Snashall added six points, a team-high nine rebounds, three assists, and four blocks.
• Eddie and Shaw each contributed six points off the bench with Eddie adding two rebounds, one assist, and one block and Shaw snatching a rebound.
• Leishman had three points and one assist while Jordy DeMott finished with two points, one rebound, and three steals.
• CWU shot the ball at a 48.9 percent clip from the floor, 34.8 percent from three, and 80 percent at the free-throw line.
• The Warriors edged the crimson and black in the rebound battle 31-29.
• WC was led by Sage Kramer who had 12 points, eight rebounds, one assist, and one steal.
• The Warriors finished the game shooting 30.8 percent from the floor, 23.5 percent from three, and 83.3 percent at the free-throw line.

 
SERIES HISTORY:
 

• CWU is 3-0 against Westmont all-time.
• The 'Cats have now won the only neutral site game between the two squads.

 
UP NEXT:
 

• The Wildcats will head west to Bellingham, Washington next weekend for another pair of games as a part of the Lynda Goodrich Classic, hosted by Western Washington University.
• The 'Cats will first take on San Francisco State (2-2) on Friday, November 28 at noon and conclude the weekend on Saturday, November 29 at noon against the University of Mary (6-0) with both games happening inside Carver Gym.