ELLENSBURG, Wash. – The Central Washington University men's basketball team battled back repeatedly but was unable to overcome a hot-shooting Cal State San Bernardino squad Saturday afternoon, falling 79-70 in its second game of the CWU D2 Tip-Off Classic at Nicholson Arena.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Cal State San Bernardino 79, Central Washington 70
Records: CWU (1-1), CSUSB (2-0)
Location: Nicholson Arena (Ellensburg, Wash.)
QUOTING CWU HEAD MEN'S BASKETBALL COACH BRANDON RINTA:
"You're going to have to be able to defend at a high level for the whole game against a good team like San Bernardino. We did that in the first half but couldn't keep it at that level in the second half. They made things challenging offensively. Our guys did better in the second half. We are still learning how to play together. King and Demetrus came up with some big plays for us to cut the lead to 3 in the second half."
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Central and Cal State San Bernardino traded the lead through the opening seven minutes before the Coyotes built a 10-9 advantage midway through the first half. The Wildcats answered behind a pair of three-pointers from
Chaydon Stone and
Bradley Swillie to grab a 20-18 lead with 5:45 remaining, but CSUSB responded with a 13-8 closing run to take a 33-28 halftime advantage.
The Coyotes extended their lead to 12 points early in the second half and maintained control for much of the period. Central slowly worked its way back into the game behind
King-Njhsanni Wilhite, who scored eight points during a key stretch. Consecutive three-pointers from
Demetrus Johnson II and Wilhite capped an 11-2 run that pulled the Wildcats within 52-49 with 9:35 remaining.
CSUSB answered every Central push down the stretch. The Wildcats trimmed the deficit to five points at 65-60 following a
Garrett Marrs three-point play with 3:54 to play, but the Coyotes responded with a 12-2 run fueled by Trey Booker-Lowery, Chris Harris, and Hassan Dorman. Central got no closer than seven points the rest of the way as Cal State San Bernardino secured the 79-70 victory.
STATS FROM THE GAME:
- King-Njhsanni Wilhite led the Wildcats with 16 points, four rebounds, and three steals.
- Chaydon Stone added 14 points, knocking down three three-pointers and finishing a perfect 3-for-3 at the free-throw line.
- Bradley Swillie contributed 11 points, while Elijah Williams and Garrett Marrs each scored eight points.
- CWU finished the game shooting 35.4 percent from the floor, 38.7 percent from three-point range, and 85.7 percent from the free-throw line.
- Hassan Dorman and Trey Booker-Lowery led CSUSB with 20 points apiece, while Chris Harris added 17 points.
- The Coyotes shot 52.7 percent from the floor, 35.3 percent from three-point range, and 78.9 percent from the free-throw line.
- CSUSB won the rebound battle 45-27, including a 12-10 edge on the offensive glass.
- Central forced 16 turnovers and scored 21 points off turnovers.
SERIES HISTORY:
- Cal State San Bernardino leads the all-time series 12-5.
- CWU is 0-4 all-time against CSUSB at Nicholson Arena.
- The Wildcats are 2-8 in the last 10 meetings against the Coyotes.
- Central's most recent victory in the series came in a 71-63 win on Oct. 31, 2025, in Langley, British Columbia.
- The Wildcats' longest winning streak in the series is two games, spanning from Dec. 17, 2010, through Nov. 11, 2016.
UP NEXT:
The Wildcats wrap up the CWU D2 Tip-Off Classic on Sunday, Nov. 1, against No. 23 Lubbock Christian. Tipoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. at Nicholson Arena in Ellensburg.
