LACEY, Wash. – The first-seeded Central Washington University men's basketball team begins its postseason run Friday, March 7, taking on the fifth-seeded Montana State Billings Yellowjackets in the second round of the GNAC Tournament at the Marcus Pavilion in Lacey, Wash.
GAME INFORMATION
FRIDAY, 3/7/25, 2:15 P.M. vs MONTANA STATE BILLINGS
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PREVIOUSLY FOR THE 'CATS
Central concluded the regular season last week on top of the GNAC, earning the regular season title outright after its victory over Simon Fraser University 73-70 in the final game of the season. The Wildcats had won a share of the title the previous Saturday after defeating Saint Martin's University in front of a loud and proud home court on Feb 22.
Leading the Wildcats into battle are the GNAC Coach of the Year
Brandon Rinta, who earned the accolade after bringing the 'Cats their first regular season title since the 2010-11 season, and the GNAC Player of the Year
Cavin Holden, who has been an all-around player for the Crimson and Black, scoring 417 points and leading the team in assists with 111 and steals with 42. Along with his Player of the Year award, Holden also received a unanimous selection for the GNAC All-Conference First-Team.
At the top of the scoring category for the Wildcats is
Garrett Anderson with 422 total points, included with his presence in the top five spots of every other statistical area which has culminated in a unanimous selection to the All-Conference First-Team.
Bringing a strong aspect for the Crimson and Black are
Jordan Clark and
Maverick Sanders, who each received a selection to the All-Conference Honorable Mention Team. Clark showed a great strength in shooting for the Wildcats, especially from three-point range. Clark led the Wildcats in three-point percentage with a .482 average, going 53-110 to find himself in the record books for CWU, earning sixth place in Central's single-season three-point field goal percentage, as well as sixth place in the Wildcats' career three-point field goal percentage. Sanders was the force at the hoop for the 'Cats this season, leading the Crimson and Black in blocks with 39 and rebounds with 139, including 34 offensive boards. He also held second in steals with 33 takeaways. Sanders held the third spot in the Wildcats scoring with 335 points, shooting .449 and going 127-283 from the field.
Rounding out the top five is Central's lone senior,
Mitch Brizee. Brizee leads the Wildcats from the field, going 84-124 for a .677 shooting percentage, which puts him in third place in CWU's single season top 10 list. Brizee's all-time .648 percentage also puts him in third place in Central's career top 10 list.
ABOUT THE YELLOWJACKETS
Montana State Billings found victory over the fourth-seeded Western Washington Vikings Thursday afternoon in an instant classic as the Vikings went up two points with two seconds remaining in the game, and in a last-second chance, Jajuan Tot heaved a half-court shot that sunk as the buzzer sounded as the Yellowjackets move on to take on the Crimson and Black on Friday, March 7 at 2:15 p.m.
MSUB had a strong showing with four players scoring in double digits, including leading scorer Jalen Tot (24), Kael Robinson (20), Brendon Johnson (16), and Cooper Dewitt (11). Dewitt led the team in assists with six, while Johnson led in rebounds with nine total boards. In addition to his game-winning shot, Jajuan Tot also led in steals with three takeaways.
The Wildcats and Yellowjackets split the season series with the home team winning one each. Central won on Jan 18 with a score of 82-69, while MSUB won 79-66 on Feb 13. The point differential for both matches is split down the middle with each team scoring exactly 148 points throughout the two games.
The 'Cats and 'Jackets face off on Friday, March 7 in Lacey, Wash. Tip-off from the Marcus Pavilion is scheduled for 2:15 p.m.
