Monday, February 20, 2023

PORTLAND, Ore. – Central Washington took a pair of critical home wins last week to put itself in contention for a postseason spot berth and earned GNAC Team of the Week honors in the process.

The Wildcats opened the week with a 77-75 win over Simon Fraser on Thursday. Central Washington took the early advantage, leading 48-31 at halftime before holding off the Red Leafs’ push down the stretch to take the victory.

Junior Camron McNeil led a quartet of Wildcats scoring in double digits with 19 points on 8 of 19 from the field, 1 of 4 from three-point range and 2 of 2 from the free-throw line. McNeil also finished the game with two rebounds and two assists.

Along with McNeil, sophomore forward Mitch Brizee, senior guard Isaiah Banks and senior forward Matt Poquette all scored in double digits. Brizee knocked down 18 points to go with five rebounds while shooting a perfect 8 for 8 from the field and going 2 for 3 from the free-throw line.

On Saturday, Central Washington took an 86-71 overtime win over in-state rival Western Washington to sweep the season series heading into the final week of the regular season. The Wildcats took a lead into halftime for the second game in a row after holding the Vikings to just 11.1% from long range in the first half.

After WWU pushed back in the second frame to force overtime, it was the Wildcats who shined in bonus basketball with 12 points on 4 of 5 from the field, 1 of 1 from three-point range and 3 of 3 from the free-throw line. Poquette accounted for five of those points in overtime and finished the game with 23 points, eight rebounds and a block.

McNeil led the Wildcats for the second game in a row, knocking down 27 points to go with six rebounds, three assists and two steals while shooting 61.1% from the field, 40% from long range and a perfect 3 for 3 from the free-throw line. For the week, McNeil averaged 23 points and four rebounds per game.

Head coach Brandon Rinta has been pleased with the way his team has developed over the season and pointed to the results last week as evidence of that growth.

“This team has come a long way from the start of the season,” Rinta said. “They have stuck together all year and continue to improve. To close our last two home games with two big wins that came down to the wire is a reflection of that.”

Central Washington will play its final games of the regular season on the road at Saint Martin’s on Thursday and Western Oregon on Saturday as it looks to secure a place in the GNAC Championships.