ELLENSBURG, Wash. – Central Washington scored 40 unanswered points in the first half responding to Western Oregon's opening score to pull away from the Wolves, 40-19, on Saturday afternoon at Tomlinson Stadium.

Coming off a pair of disappointing losses to open the year at CSU-Pueblo and Dixie State, the Wildcats used the full spectrum of scoring plays for their first-half point barrage. A pick-six interception return was the catalyst for a punt return touchdown, traditional rushing/passing scores, a safety and a field goal that later followed for CWU (1-2).

Trey Shimabukuro, the senior quarterback who led the Wolves from early deficits in the opening two games of the year, could not find a rhythm in the first half. He bounced back in the second half to throw for 293 yards on 23-of-46 passing with a touchdown, but couldn't prevent the Wolves from remaining winless in Ellensburg since 1998.

The entire game was in sharp contrast to the opening drive for WOU.

Western Oregon marched down the field on an eight-play drive that included seven rush attempts. Paul Revis began the drive with a 21-yard scamper and Shimabukuro kept the offense on the field with a third-down completion to Daniel Thomas for 25 yards. Four plays later, Phillip Fenumiai ran for a 5-yard score. The point after try from Mitch Nelson was blocked, holding WOU's lead to 6-0.

CWU responded with a three-and out to give Western the ball with a chance to build a two-possession lead. On third down, Shimabukuro's pass was intercepted by Cedrique Chaney and returned for a touchdown. The Wolves' next drive stalled to bring Alexander Bradt in to punt. His strong 48-yard kick was taken by Jesse Zalk at the 21-yard line. Zalk broke free after a booming block opened space for a 79-yard return for a TD.

Two passing scores, a 70-yard TD scamper, a safety out of the back of the end zone and a field goal notched 26 points for CWU in the second quarter to take a 40-6 lead at halftime.

Western Oregon forced a three-and-out on CWU's opening drive of the second half. Shimabukuro had five straight completions in the subsequent drive, but two incompletions near the CWU red-zone turned the ball back to the Wildcats.

Two drives later, Shimabukuro had three completions including a 37-yard pitch and catch with Wesley Gray to setup a Joe Harris touchdown run of three yards.

Midway through the fourth quarter, WOU went to the passing game for the final scoring drive. Six different receivers made catches, ending with Daniel Thomas hauling in a pass for a six-yard touchdown. CWU recovered the ensuing on-side kick and drained the final five minutes.

Austin Spencer and Shane Kuenzi each had seven tackles for the WOU defense that accrued five sacks in the game. Michael Kluge had 1.5 sacks and two tackles for loss overall.

Western Oregon steps away from league opponent next Saturday to make the short trip to Providence Park for a matchup with Portland State. Kickoff is set for 2:05 p.m.