SEATTLE, Wash. – The Central Washington University men's basketball team (5-3) had strong chances but ultimately fell to No. 4 Point Loma (5-0) Friday night in its first game of the SPU Thanksgiving Classic.
 
Quoting Head Coach Brandon Rinta
"We knew we had to do a good job of guarding the three-point line today and we found out why. That has bit us a couple times now. Our guys kept battling but Point Loma is a really good team and answered our runs."
 
Notable Stats

• Eli Williams led the Wildcat offense–recording a career-high 18 points, as well as four rebounds.
• Bradley Swillie and Chae Haynes each recorded 13 points, while Haynes led the team in rebounds with seven, including four offensive boards.
• Jordan Clark led in assists–recording four, on top of his 10 points scored.
• Calvin Sisk guarded the hoop with two blocks, while Swillie, Clark, Jamari Harris, and Garrett Marrs each recorded a steal.

 
First Half

• Central opens the game with a quick 7-3 run for the early lead in the first two minutes.
• The Sea Lions used two good opportunities in the following minute to score five points to take an 8-7 lead.
• The teams traded a run of points with PLNU getting the one-point edge in the interaction to take a two-point lead.
• The Wildcats continued to battle as they tied the game a few more times throughout the first ten minutes.
• Point Loma hit a few runs to build its lead to 33-26 with 7:54 remaining.
• The 'Cats kept fighting, but the Sea Lions found the right moments to strike and continued to build their lead, taking a double-digit soon thereafter.
• Point Loma started to slow its scoring with about two minutes left. That's when CWU found its rhythm and went on a 6-1 run to finish the first half trailing 41-53.

 
Second Half

• Central started the second half cold, not getting a shot to fall until Williams hit a three-pointer after two-and-a-half minutes. In those first couple minutes, the Sea Lions were able to rack up eight points to take a 17-point lead.
• The Wildcats fought to keep the score close, but Point Loma found the right moments to strike and keep the dominant lead.
• CWU had its best chance with 13:54 left, when Jalen Childs hit a jump shot to cut the lead to 12.
• However, that's as close as the 'Cats got as PLNU used the final 13 minutes to play smart and consistently score to take the 94-78 victory.

 
Up Next
The Wildcats remain in Seattle for one more matchup tomorrow, taking on Vanguard University. Tip-off from the Royal Brougham Pavilion is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.