MONMOUTH, Ore.—Jumping out to an early double-digit lead thanks to effective shooting from 3-point range, Central Washington University defeated Western Oregon University, 79-67, in GNAC women's basketball action on Saturday night.
Central Washington (12-8, 8-4 GNAC) connected on a trio of 3-pointers in the first to stake a 13-point (19-6) lead through the first eight minutes of play. Western Oregon (8-10, 4-8 GNAC) was able to pull back within five points midway through the second but the visiting side continued their barrage from deep in the later stages of the half to enter the break with a 47-33 edge.
Forcing CWU to miss its first seven attempts from the field in the third quarter, the Wolves used strong defensive play to start the third to mount another comeback. The pressure generated a 10-1 run in favor of WOU with
Savannah Heugly accounting for six of the team's points during the stretch.
The Wildcats, however, retaliated with a run of their own to boost the lead back to nine (58-49) before entering the fourth and immediately widened the gap to 13 with the first two baskets in the final quarter.
"I thought we came out flat and let Central dictate the tempo of the game tonight," WOU head coach
Holli Howard-Carpenter said. "Although I'm disappointed in our start, we came out more focused in the third and fought in the fourth. Central found an answer each time we cut into the lead. We shot the ball well from the field but we have to be better from the three point line in order to make up ground."
Overall, CWU shot 50 percent (29-of-58) from the field compared to 43.9 percent (25-of-57) for the Wolves.
Heugly led all players with 16 points and was followed by teammates
Shelby Snook and
Jasmine Miller with 13 points each. Taylor Shaw led CWU with 14 points off the bench.
"Savannah had another solid night and really fueled us in the third and I'm really proud of how Jasmine played tonight, she was aggressive and we will need that from her going forward," Howard-Carpenter said.
The Wolves will hit the road next week with games at Western Washington (Feb. 1) and Simon Fraser (Feb. 3).
