MONMOUTH, Ore. –The Western Oregon University women's basketball team returns to conference play this week for the first time in over a month. After just three total games in the month of December, the Wolves host Central Washington Jan. 3 at 7 p.m. and Northwest Nazarene Jan. 5 at 2 p.m. Both games will be played at NPE Gym.
 
ABOUT CWU (6-3, 1-1 GNAC): After starting the season 5-0, the Wildcats lost traction after the Thanksgiving break, going 1-3 since Nov. 29 when they played their first GNAC game of the season. Two of those three losses have come by four or fewer points, leaving them just three field goals shy of an 8-1 record. CWU has been ranked as high as 4th in the region and 25th nationally this season.
 
The Wildcats currently rank 4th in the country in field goal percentage, shooting a sharp 49.4 percent from the field. They also rank atop the GNAC in assists per game (18.3) and blocks per game (5.0)
 
Junior Alexis Pana leads the team with 14.0 points per game, shooting 53.6 percent from the field and 48.5 percent from 3-point range while dishing out a conference-best 5.1 assists per game. Central also boasts the second-best rebounder in the GNAC in Kassidy Malcolm who is averaging 8.8 boards per game.

WOU vs. CWU: Western Oregon is 11-25 in NCAA play against Central Washington. The Wildcats have won nine straight meetings with the last WOU win coming Dec. 7, 2013. This nine-game winning streak for CWU follows the Wolves winning seven of nine matchups between 2010 and 2013. WOU is 8-10 at home.

ABOUT NO. 7 NNU (10-0, 2-0 GNAC): After tying for the best conference record in the GNAC a year ago, seventh-ranked NNU didn't miss a step coming into the 2018-19 season. Unbeaten through 10 games, the Nighthawks have not seen many challenges, winning by less than 10 just twice so far this year.
 
The Nighthawks lead the GNAC in eight statistical categories and are ranked 5th in the country in scoring offense with a 86.7 points per game pace. Despite having such a high team scoring mark, NNU doesn't have an individual higher than 17th in the conference in scoring average, getting a balanced attack from an impressive 10 players averaging at least six points per game. This team parity has allowed NNU to keep all starters averaging less than 30 minutes per game.
 
WOU vs. NNU: Western Oregon is 12-24 against NNU since 2001. The Nighthawks have won three straight and five of the last six. Western's last win came Jan. 21, 2017 in a 78-75 squeaker. WOU is 7-11 at home, last winning in Monmouth Feb. 28, 2015.
 
ABOUT WESTERN OREGON (4-4, 1-1 GNAC): Western Oregon has rattled off four wins in their last five games to battle back to .500 in overall record. Thursday marks the first conference game for WOU since Dec. 1 when they lost a tight 73-68 matchup to Seattle Pacific. The Wolves have won each of their last two games by at least 17, getting 79 points from their offense in each— a season-high.

Ali Nelke came one rebound shy of a fourth consecutive double-double against Notre Dame de Namur on Dec. 19, posting a career-high 22 points and nine rebounds.
 
WOU now has their non-conference schedule in the rearview mirror, playing their remaining 18 regular season games against GNAC opponents.

DEFENSIVE FORCE: The Wolves currently rank second in the GNAC with a scoring defense allowing just 62.8 points per game. This average is second only to Alaska Anchorage at 58.1. WOU has allowed more than 64 points just twice this season.
 
TAKING CARE OF THE BALL: The seven turnovers committed Dec. 10 against Northwest Christian is the fewest turnovers committed by the Wolves in a game during their NCAA-era history dating back to the 2000-01 season. Additionally, after giving up at least 17 turnovers in each of their first five games, the Wolves have turned the ball over 11 times or less in each of the last three games.
 
SHARP-SHOOTING SENIOR: Ali Nelke currently leads the Great Northwest Athletic conference in both field goal percentage (62.5) and free throw percentage (1.000). She is also in the GNAC's top-10 in offensive rebounds (2nd), assist/turnover ratio (3rd), minutes played (3rd), blocks (4th) and rebounding (5th).
 
TEAM CONTRIBUTION: In the Wolves' 79-62 win Dec. 10 over Northwest Christian, nine separate players scored at least five points in the game while four scored in double figures. Five players have a season average of seven or more points as well.
 
JONES KEYS OFFENSE: Sophomore guard Keyonna Jones scored in double figures in four consecutive games between Nov. 17 and Dec. 10, including a career-high 23 points Dec. 1 at Seattle Pacific.
 
BLOCK PARTY: WOU'S seven team blocks Dec. 1 at Seattle Pacific matches their highest single-game total since an eight-block performance Dec. 7, 2013 in a 71-63 overtime win against Central Washington. It also matches the highest total for a game finished in regulation since Nov. 17, 2012 when Western Oregon beat Pacific Lutheran 74-62.
 
TIGHT START TO THE SEASON: Of the Wolves' first six games, three were decided by five or fewer points.
 
REBOUNDING FORTE: Western Oregon players account for five of the top 40 list of rebounders in the conference. Currently three Wolves are averaging five rebounds or more per game. The team's 21 offensive rebounds Dec. 19 is tied for the most in a game since Dec. 17, 2014 when WOU pulled down 26 offensive boards in a 73-60 win over Holy Names.
 
NELKE PUTTING IN WORK: Senior forward Ali Nelke is currently third in the GNAC in minutes played, averaging 33.8 minutes per game. That has included playing all 40 minutes of the game Nov. 17 against Colorado Mesa and logging at least 30 minutes in seven of the first eight games. Her current average leaves her just 1.7 minutes shy of the school NCAA-era record for single season average set by Michelle Laski during the 2003-04 campaign.

2018-19 GNAC PRESEASON POLL: The Wolves were picked to finish in 10th place according to the GNAC Preseason Coaches' Poll… Picking up six first-place votes, Northwest Nazarene was chosen to repeat as regular season champions after going 22-5 overall and 18-2 in GNAC play a year ago… Also picking up first-place votes was Alaska Anchorage (5).

2017-18 REVIEW: The Wolves ended last year with an 11-15 overall record and a 7-13 record in GNAC play to place 9th in the league standings… were ranked ninth in the GNAC after scoring 65.8 points per game… ranked seventh in defense, allowing 68.6 points per game and second in free throw percentage (.793).

D2 WEST REGION POLL: Four GNAC teams were represented in the D2SIDA West Region poll this week. Undefeated Northwest Nazarene remained in the top spot while picking up five of the six first-place votes.
 

D2SIDA West Region Poll (Dec. 31, 2018)
Rank / School	Record	Points
1. Northwest Nazarene (5)	10-0	59
2. UC San Diego (1)	10-0	54
3. Alaska Anchorage	9-1	48
4. Cal Poly Pomona	8-2	41
5. Central Washington	6-3	28
6. Dominican	7-2	25
7. Western Washington	7-3	24
8. Azusa Pacific	10-3	23
9. Chico State	7-2	11
10. CSU San Marcos	7-3	9