BILLINGS, Mont. – The 14th-ranked Central Washington University Women's Basketball Team capped off a successful road trip with a dominating performance at Montana State Billings Saturday afternoon that also saw history as Asher Cai broke the GNAC record for most career three-pointers made. 
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
 

• Final: Central Washington (91), Montana State Billings (57)
• Records: CWU (16-1, 7-0 GNAC), MSUB (10-10, 2-5 GNAC)
• Location: Alterowitz Gym (Billings, Mont.)

 
QUOTING CWU HEAD WOMEN'S BASKETBALL COACH RANDI RICHARDSON:
 
"Our team came out ready to go today. We played a terrific first quarter on both ends. I felt MSUB took that second quarter from us, but I was pleased with how our team responded in the second half and played consistent and solid basketball to finish out the game.
 
I'm elated for Asher to break the career three-point field goal record for the GNAC. That was a long-standing record from another phenomenal shooter. Asher has worked extremely hard and has given so much of herself to our program, her teammates, and her own development. She has earned this and deserves this moment. I'm so proud of her and so happy for her."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
 

• Rylee Leishman opened the gamer with a boom, draining a three which sparked the 'Cats to race out to a fast 15-0 start over the first four minutes. 
• Cassie Chesnut got the Yellowjackets on the board at the 5:45 mark but the 'Cats responded with a 13-0 run to take the 28-2 lead with 3:17 left in the first. 
• The teams went bucket-for-bucket to end the first that was capped with an Aliyah Finch layup to beat the buzzer to take the 34-11 lead after the first 10 minutes.
• Rae Smart drained two free-throws for the 'Jackets to begin the second quarter, but a bucket from Capri Sims and back-to-back baskets by Annalee Coronado extended the CWU lead to 40-13 with 6:04 left in the second. 
• MSUB saw a three from Tailey Harris that sparked a quick 7-0 run by the 'Jackets to cut it to a 40-20 CWU lead with 3:49 left in the quarter.
• The two teams exchanged buckets to enter the halftime break with CWU on top 42-22. 
• A three by Fiona Snashall got the scoring started for the third quarter which saw the 'Cats go on a 7-0 run to make it a 49-22 CWU lead with 8:02 left in the third.
• An 8-2 run by the Yellowjackets saw MSUB cut it to a 21-point crimson and black lead at 54-33 with 5:49 left in the third.
• A 10-3 run by the 'Cats to end the third capped by a pair of free-throws from Snashall made it a 71-40 game heading into the final 10 minutes. 
• The teams began the fourth quarter going basket-for-basket as the 'Cats maintained an 80-50 lead with 6:24 left in the game. 
• Cai saw her record-breaking three come at the 4:50 mark to take the GNAC record for career threes made and to give CWU the 83-50 lead.
• MSUB scored six-straight only to be answered by CWU who added eight-straight, but a free-throw by Allison Kunze ended the game as the 'Cats rolled to the 91-57 victory.

 
STATS FROM THE GAME:
 

• Cai led the game with 24 points while adding three rebounds, eight assists, and a steal. 
• Sims tacked on a solid 20-point, seven rebound, and two assist performance.
• Snashall finished with a double-double performance of her own with 17 points and 10 rebounds while adding two assists, one block, and two steals.
• Kayla Thornton finished with eight points, three rebounds, and two assists while Coronado tacked on six points and two assists. 
• Leishman finished with five points, one rebound, and four assists while Sierra Eddie, Emily Shaw, and Finch all finished with three points with Eddie adding a rebound, an assist, and a steal and Shaw contributing a rebound. 
• Nicole Wertenberger had two points, one rebound, one assist, and two steals.
• Lylah Spring grabbed five rebounds and added two blocks and a steal.
• CWU shot 58.9 percent from the floor, 37.5 percent from three, and 94.1 percent at the free-throw line.
• MSUB was led by Chesnut with 17 points, six rebounds, and a steal while Harris added 13 points, two rebounds, and four assists.
• The Yellowjackets finished the game shooting 33.3 percent from the floor, 33.3 percent from three, and 66.7 percent at the free-throw line.
• The 'Cats won the rebound battle by a 39-25 margin.

 
SERIES HISTORY:
 

• MSUB still leads the all-time series by a 32-19 margin.
• CWU is 8-14 in Billings against the Yellowjackets.
• The 'Jackets hold the edge in GNAC contests by a 23-17 margin.

 
UP NEXT:
 

• The 'Cats will head back home for another pair of GNAC battles.
• They first welcome the Saint Martin's Saints (10-6, 6-1 GNAC) on Thursday, January 22 at 5:15 p.m. 
• They then see the Western Oregon Wolves (9-6, 4-3 GNAC) on Saturday, January 24 at 5:00 p.m. with both games happening inside Nicholson Arena.