Boxscore and Play by Play
NAMPA, Idaho - The Northwest Nazarene women's basketball team used a 24-1 run midway through the first half to pull away for a 71-38 victory over Central Washington in a Great Northwest Athletic Conference game on Thursday night at the Johnson Sports Center in Nampa.
The win improves the Crusaders to 18-8 overall and 11-4 in GNAC play, setting the table for a big game on Saturday night against nationally 8th-ranked Seattle Pacific (19-4, 12-2 GNAC) in Nampa. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:15 p.m.
The Crusaders are ranked 6th in the West Region and are looking to lock up a post-season berth this weekend.
NNU can do it one of two ways, either by beating the Falcons head-to-head on Saturday, or by getting some help from California Collegiate Athletic Association tournament action in San Bernardino, California.
Both Chico State and Cal State San Bernardino pulled off huge upsets on Tuesday, and if either team wins the CCAA tournament, the Crusaders will need to hold strong as the 6th-ranked team. However, if both teams lose on Friday night, the Crusaders will all but lock up their third post-season invitation in the last four years.
Stephanie Wenke was the only Wildcat to score in double figures with 10 points as the visitors played with only seven active players due to injuries.
NNU held Central to just 16 field goals in 52 attempts, while converting on 26 of 59 including eight of 19 from the arc. The Crusaders also forced CWU into 12 more turnovers (27-15).
