NAMPA, Idaho – The 19th-ranked Central Washington University Women's Basketball Team opened GNAC play with a convincing 77-63 victory at the Northwest Nazarene Nighthawks Saturday afternoon. 
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
 

• Final: Central Washington (77), Northwest Nazarene (63)
• Records: CWU (7-0, 1-0 GNAC), NNU (4-3, 0-1 GNAC)
• Location: Johnson Sports Center (Nampa, Idaho)

 
QUOTING CWU HEAD WOMEN'S BASKETBALL COACH RANDI RICHARDSON:
 
"We're very pleased to get a win against NNU. We have seen this team play a lot and have a lot of respect for what they do. I was pleased with our composure through challenges to continue to find ways to be us offensively. NNU does a good job of taking you out of what you do. We were very efficient today and balanced scoring wise with four players: nearly five, in double figures. NNU did force us into a lot of turnovers which is an aspect of the game we will continue to address but our response to those turnovers and ability to move onto the next play is something I am so proud of."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
 

• The two squads exchanged buckets to begin the game but a free-throw attempt and a layup by Capri Sims followed by back-to-back baskets from Fiona Snashall saw CWU take the 9-2 lead with 6:57 left in the first. 
• Following the media timeout Emily Shaw drained a three to make it 14-7 CWU, but a 5-0 run by NNU cut it to a two-point CWU lead with 3:19 left in the first. 
• Four-straight free-throws by NNU down the stretch of the first quarter tied things at 16, but a pair of free-throws by Asher Cai to end the first saw CWU take the 18-16 lead. 
• NNU used a pair of free-throws from Chloe Deharo followed by a bucket from Jené  Wells and another free-throw by Claire Fisher gave the Nighthawks their first lead of the game at 21-18 with 8:38 left in the second. 
• A jumper by Cai, a three by Snashall, and a jumper by Kayla Thornton gave CWU the 25-21 lead with 6:47 left in the second. 
• Back-to-back-to-back trey's by Thornton, Sierra Eddie, and Snashall paired with an and-one by Cai saw CWU take their first double-digit lead at 39-28 with 2:21 left in the second. 
• A three by Eddie to beat the buzzer sent the teams to the half break with CWU on top 46-35. 
• CWU scored the first 10 points of the third quarter, holding NNU to their first basket with 3:42 left, but Snashall immediately countered with a jumper of her own to make it 58-37 CWU. 
• Each team exchanged buckets to end the third with CWU on top 62-43. 
• Eddie opened the final quarter with a big three, but four-straight buckets by the 'Hawks chopped the lead down to 65-52 in favor of CWU with 7:42 left. 
• A 7-2 run by the 'Cats helped solidify the lead and make it 72-54 CWU with 4:21 left. 
• CWU countered with every basket the Nighthawks scored down the stretch to help secure the 77-63 victory and open GNAC play with a 1-0 record. 

 
STATS FROM THE GAME:
 

• Snashall led all scores in the game with 18 points, tying for the most rebounds as well with nine, and added two assists, two blocks, and a steal. 
• Cai tallied 17 points, adding five rebounds, four assists, and a steal. 
• Two 'Cats nabbed CWU career-highs as Eddie tacked on 11 points with two assists and a block while Thornton contributed 10 points, a rebound, and a team-high five assists. 
• Sims was just shy of a double-double with nine points and nine rebounds, adding an assist while Rylee Leishman added three points, two rebounds, and two steals. 
• Shaw added five points and an assist while both Jordy DeMott and Nicole Wertenberger each had two points with DeMott grabbing four rebounds, an assist, and a steal, and Wertenberger adding a steal.
• Aliyah Finch had two rebounds for the 'Cats. 
• CWU finished the game shooting 54.9 percent from the floor, 60 percent from three, and 80 percent at the free-throw line. 
• NNU was led by Kendall Clark with 14 points and added a rebound. 
• The Nighthawks finished the game shooting 34.9 percent from the floor, 11.1 percent from three, and 77.3 percent from the free-throw line. 
• The 'Cats won the rebound battle 36-31. 

 
SERIES HISTORY:
 

• NNU leads the all-time series 35-20.
• The Nighthawks are 20-8 against the 'Cats in Nampa. 
• Northwest Nazarene holds the 31-18 edge in conference play. 

 
UP NEXT:
 

• The Wildcats will turn their attention to a three-game road trip to sunny Southern California. 
• They first face the 23rd-ranked Cal Poly Pomona Broncos (6-1, 2-0 CCAA) on Saturday, December 13 at 2:00 p.m. from inside Kellogg Arena in Pomona, Calif. 
• CWU will then head to the City of Angels to face the Cal State LA Golden Eagles (4-1, 1-1 CCAA) on Monday, December 15 at noon in LA from inside University Gym. 
• The crimson and black head south to wrap up their road trip on Tuesday, December 16 at the Cal State San Marcos Cougars (4-2, 1-1 CCAA) at noon from The Sports Center in San Marcos.