Feb. 12, 2015
CWU Women's Basketball Opens Final Home Series Of Season
The Central Washington University women's basketball team opens a pivotal two-game home stand this weekend when Seattle Pacific University (Thursday, 7 p.m.) and Montana State University Billings (Saturday, 2 p.m.) travel to Nicholson Pavilion.
The Wildcats currently rest in the fifth spot in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference that rewards the top-six teams with a playoff berth.
"This is a big week for CWU women's basketball," Head Coach Jeff Harada said. "We've put ourselves in a good position to have the opportunity to control our own destiny and not have to rely on other teams to have to win or lose to get into the GNAC Tournament. I'm excited to see how we respond and if we're able to rise to the occasion."
Thursday's match up will feature the SPU Falcons. The Falcons are ranked No. 19 in the country and claim the second spot in the GNAC standings. The Wildcats hold a 16-35 overall record versus the Falcons with the last home victory coming on Feb. 11, 2012. The Falcons are led by senior guard Suzanna Ohlsen who averages 17.7 points per game and dishes out 3.9 assists per game. CWU will look to break the Falcons' three-game winnings streak.
Saturday's contest will feature the MSUB Yellowjackets. The Wildcats will try and better their 5-8 record versus the Yellowjackets when playing in Nicholson Pavilion. CWU holds a career 9-19 mark versus MSUB, but broke a five-game losing streak versus the 'Jackets last month in Billings.
"MSUB has postseason experience and is looking to move up in the standings," Harada said. With several offensive weapons, not to mention one of the best post players in the GNAC in Kayleen Goggins, it should be a very tough and competitive game."
The Yellowjackets are led by Goggins and Alisha Breen who score 19.9 and 15.7 points per game, respectively. Both Goggins and Breen lead their team in rebounding. Goggins grabs 6.2 rebounds a game while Breen leads her team snatching 7.1 boards a game.
"Both SPU and MSUB are quality, well coached teams and we all have something to play for," Harada said. "We didn't play well the last time at SPU, which had a lot to do with [SPU's] play, so hopefully we come out with something to prove against a nationally ranked team."
The Wildcats sit two games out of the fourth spot and hold a one game advantage over Saint Martin's University.