DENVER, Colo. – The Central Washington women's basketball team (5-1) rebounded after their first loss on the season with a resounding victory on Saturday afternoon over the Regis University Rangers (3-3) 90-66.
QUOTE FROM HEAD COACH RANDI RICHARDSON-THORNLEY
"I'm extremely happy with how our team responded today. We talked about how we want to be a team of women who respond when they are challenged and don't back down. We responded well tonight and I'm so proud of them for that. This was a great road trip for us and there are many things we can take with us and grow from in both games that will help prepare us for conference next week."
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Wildcats didn't like the feeling of losing helping fuel a quick 6-0 start to the game forcing the Rangers to take a timeout. One of many three-pointers by freshman sensation Asher Cai, followed by a jumper and layup by Valerie "Sunshine" Huerta and Samantha Bowman pushed the 'Cats lead to almost double-digits 15-6 with just over three and a half in the quarter left. The Rangers found a bit of a stride going on a 6-0 run pushing the CWU lead to only three, 15-12. A jumper by Cai helped the 'Cats maintain the lead going into the second quarter up 17-14.
The second quarter saw the 'Cats pile on 39 points to firmly push the crimson and black into the half with a significant lead. The 'Cats saw a huge boost off the bench from Claire Heitschmidt who finessed her three-point shooting capabilities and helping the 'Cats start the second quarter on a 20-3 run pushing the 'Cats lead to 22 points 37-15 halfway through the second quarter. The Rangers would try and fight back, but Malia Smith off the bench nailed critical three-pointers to help put a stop to any Ranger runs. Five points by Tori Maeda helped push the 'Cats lead to almost 30 going into the break, 56-28.
The Crimson and Black picked up right where they left off at the half as a three by Cai and a jumper by Huerta pushed the 'Cats lead over the 30-point mark. Another three-pointer by Smith pushed the lead to the highest of the game for CWU up 68-34 just under halfway through the third quarter. The teams traded baskets to round out the third quarter with CWU up 72-44.
The Rangers started out the fourth quarter cutting the 'Cats lead down to 25, 74-49 with eight and a half minutes to go. However, four points by Sunshine and a jumper by Cai maintained the lead around the 30-point mark with six minutes remaining. The rest of the game would come with Cai and Heitschmidt putting the official nail in the coffin of a Rangers comeback. Shaylee Coulter-Fa'amafu secured the game with her first three-pointer of the season, and to put the 'Cats at the 90-point mark.
Cai and Sunshine were the game leaders in points as both nabbed 22 points and going a perfect six of six at the free throw line between the two. Bowman had another double-double making her total on the season to five with 12 points and 11 rebounds, while Heitschmidt provided 14 points off the bench, going four of five from three-point land.
The 'Cats went exactly 50 percent from the field and 46.4 percent from three-point land, as well as converting 81.3 percent from the free-throw line. CWU reeled in 35 rebounds and six steals while dishing out 16 assists and one block.
UP NEXT
The Wildcats will return home to open their Great Northwest Athletic Conference schedule. Both games will be held at the Ellensburg High School Gymnasium which will first see the 'Cats showdown against the Western Oregon Wolves (4-0) on Thursday December 1st at 6:15 p.m. The crimson and black will wrap up their opening weekend of conference games against the St. Martin's Saints (3-4) on Saturday December 3rd at 5:15 p.m.