ELLENSBURG, Wash. – The 11th-ranked Central Washington University Women's Basketball Team used a big first half and a clutch fourth quarter to fend off the Western Oregon Wolves Saturday evening.
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
 

• Final: Central Washington (57), Western Oregon (49)
• Records: CWU (18-1, 9-0 GNAC), WOU (9-8, 4-5 GNAC)
• Location: Nicholson Arena (Ellensburg, Wash.)

 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
 

• Capri Sims got the game moving with a layup just 15 seconds after tip-off with the Wolves responding with back-to-back baskets to make it a 4-2 WOU lead with 7:21 left in the first.
• Back-to-back layups, a three, and a couple of minutes later a third layup all by Sims gave the 'Cats the 11-4 lead with 3:34 left in the first.
• WOU's final basket of the first came at the 3:12 mark when Enid Vaifanua laid the ball in only to see the 'Cats score seven unanswered points to end the first quarter.
• The Wolves opened the second quarter with back-to-back buckets to cut it to a single digit CWU lead, 18-10 with 7:39 left.
• A pair of free-throws sparked a 11-1 run by the 'Cats who took the 29-11 lead with 3:17 left in the second.
• Back-to-back buckets by the Wolves was answered by the 'Cats with a free-throw each from Asher Cai and Sims to end the first half with the 'Cats on top 31-15.
• Fiona Snashall began the scoring in the third quarter which saw the teams battle back-and-forth for the first few minutes.
• A layup by Kylani Rookstool began a 10-0 run by the Wolves who cut the CWU lead down to single-digits once more at 37-31 with 5:35 left in the third.
• A pair of baskets exchanged by the teams was followed by a 6-0 run by WOU who saw Triniti Youngblood drain a last second three and hit the following free-throw to send the teams to the final 10 minutes with the 'Cats leading 41-40.
• Annalee Coronado drilled a huge three to start the fourth quarter, but back-to-back buckets from the Wolves tied things up at 44 apiece with 7:55 left.
• The teams traded a bucket only to see Sims swish three-straight layups and Rylee Leishman drain a huge three from the corner to make it a 55-49 CWU lead with 2:30 left in the game.
• A three by Rookstool concluded the scoring for the Wolves as Cai drained a pair of free-throws to seal the 57-49 CWU victory.

 
STATS FROM THE GAME:
 

• CWU was led by Sims who had a double-double performance of 22 points, 12 rebounds, three assists, and a steal.
• Cai had 14 points, nine rebounds, three assists, and a steal.
• Snashall added four points, 23 rebounds, four assists, a block, and two steals.
• Kayla Thornton also contributed four points while adding two rebounds, and four assists.
• Coronado finished with eight points off the bench while adding a rebound, three assists, and two steals.
• Leishman tacked on three points, three rebounds, and three assists while Aliyah Finch added two points, and a rebound.
• Sierra Eddie finished with an assist.
• The 'Cats shot 35.5 percent from the floor, 19 percent from three, and 60 percent from the free-throw line.
• The Wolves were paced by Vaifanua who had 16 points, four rebounds, four assists, and a steal while Rookstool and Youngblood both added 10 points with Rookstool also adding two rebounds, an assist, and four steals and Youngblood contributing six rebounds, two assists, and three steals.
• WOU shot 31.7 percent from the floor, 19 percent from three, and 71.4 percent at the free-throw line.
• The 'Cats dominated the battle of the boards by a 54-32 margin.

 
SERIES HISTORY:
 

• The 'Cats now lead the all-time series by a 38-14 margin.
• CWU is 22-4 inside Nicholson Arena against the Wolves.
• CWU is 9-1 in the last 10 matchups against WOU.

 
UP NEXT:
 

• The Wildcats will continue their home stretch when they welcome the Alaska schools to Nicholson Arena.
• Alaska Anchorage (11-7, 3-6 GNAC) will be the first visitor with a tip-off at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 29.
• Alaska Fairbanks (0-17, 0-9 GNAC) will conclude the weekend on Saturday, January 31 also at 7:00 p.m.