ELLENSBURG, Wash. – The Central Washington University Women's Basketball Team will turn their attention to the GNAC Tournament where they earned the third seed and have a date with the hosting Saints of St. Martin's (16-10, 9-9 GNAC) in the opening round Thursday evening.
 
GAME INFORMATION
 
Thursday, March 6
7:30 p.m.
#3 Central Washington at #6 St. Martin's
Marcus Pavilion
Lacey, Wash.
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QUOTING CWU HEAD WOMEN'S BASKETBALL COACH RANDI RICHARDSON
 
"I'm excited to start postseason play. This is what we have been working towards all year and now the time has come to take all that we have learned and all the growth we have done and put that into these moments with confidence. SMU is a very good team who plays hard and has challenged us tremendously in our first two matchups. It's going to take a great effort that is full of execution and poise to have success."
 
WILDCATS VS SAINTS THIS SEASON
 
The Wildcats and Saints have had a pair of battles this season with CWU coming out on top in both games.
 
The Wildcats earned the 77-72 victory over in Lacey in the first game between the two squads. A strong start that included CWU outscoring St. Martin's 21-15 in the first quarter helped the 'Cats maintain the lead despite SMU cutting it close late in the game. Asher Cai and Sunny Huerta paced the 'Cats with 26 and 25 points with Cai tacking on a double-double with 10 rebounds. Malia Smith also finished in double-figures with 15 points. The Saints were led by Keeli Jade Smith who had 21 points and was a perfect 7-7 at the free-throw line. Kiana Rios and Jada Travis had 14 and 11 points, respectively with Rios going 10-10 at the free-throw line and Travis leading SMU with four assists. CWU finished the game shooting 57.4 percent (27-47) from the floor, 56.3 percent (9-16) from three, and 87.5 percent (14-16) at the free-throw line while SMU shot 42.9 percent (21-49) from the floor, 30.8 percent (4-13) from three, and 83.9 percent (26-31) at the free-throw line. CWU edged out SMU in the rebound battle 26-23.
 
The two teams met up once again for the 'Cats home finale and senior night two weeks ago with CWU coming out on top 81-74. Both teams were neck-and-neck heading into the fourth quarter until the CWU offense erupted for 27 points to take the victory. Four different Wildcats had double-figures, led by Huerta with 26 points. Cai and Annalee Coronado each had 14 points while Capri Sims had 13 points. Sims and Coronado led the way on the boards for CWU with six while Cai contributed six assists. Three different Saints had double-figures led by Travis with 14 while Mya Hatchett and Sarah Lamet had 13 and 12 points, respectively. Rios and Avery Oaster led the rebounding charge for SMU who outrebounded the 'Cats 46-33. CWU finished the game shooting 44.6 percent (25-56) from the floor, 37.5 percent (6-16) from three, and 86.2 percent (25-29) at the free-throw line compared to St. Martin's 40.5 percent (30-74) from the floor, 25 percent (5-20) from three, and 50 percent (9-18) at the charity stripe.
 
SCOUTING THE SAINTS
 
The Saints are in the midst of one of their best seasons in the past decade and are headed to their first over .500 season since 2020. The Saints capped off their regular season with a home sweep over the Alaska schools. They first defeated Alaska Fairbanks 64-55 and backed it up with a 57-53 victory over the GNAC regular season champions and 15th-ranked Alaska Anchorage to celebrate their senior day.
 
The Saints on the season are averaging 65.7 points per game compared to the 60.5 they're giving up to their opponents. SMU averages 41.1 percent from the floor, 29.7 percent from three, and 74.5 percent at the free-throw line compared to their opponents shooting of 39.1 percent from the floor, 31.2 percent from three, and 72 percent at the free-throw line. St. Martin's outrebounds their opponents 36.5 to 32.6 rebounds per game. They dish out 14.1 assists and only turn the ball over 17.9 times compared to the 18.3 times they force their opponents to turn the ball over with 9.7 coming as steals. They add four blocks a game.
 
Travis, the GNAC Freshman of the Year leads SMU with 14.6 points per game with Rios not far behind at 13.8 points per game. Rios is also the rebounding leader for SMU at 6.2 rebounds per game while Travis has dished out the most assists this season with 110 and grabbed the most steals with 53. Sarah Lamet has the most blocks this season with 29.
 
UP NEXT
 
If the Wildcats defeat St. Martin's on Thursday, they will have a quick turnaround as they clash with the two-seed Montana State Billings (25-6, 14-4 GNAC) on Friday at 7:30 p.m. from Marcus Pavilion in Lacey.
 
GNAC TOURNAMENT
 
Thursday, March 6
5:15 p.m. (#5 Northwest Nazarene vs. #4 Western Washington)
7:30 p.m. (#3 Central Washington vs. #6 St. Martin's)
 
Friday, March 7
5:15 p.m. (Winner of NNU/WWU vs. #1 Alaska Anchorage)
7:30 p.m. (Winner of CWU/SMU vs. #2 Montana State Billings)
 
Saturday, March 8
7:30 p.m. GNAC Women's Championship Game