Valiant Effort Falls Short as Central Washington Downs Yellowjackets, 88-72

     Box Score
     Season Statistics

BILLINGS, Mont. – Central Washington used a 17-0 run midway the first half to break open a close game en route to an 88-72 to victory over Montana State Billings Thursday evening at Alterowitz Gym.  Despite the run, the Yellowjackets (1-26, 1-15 GNAC) made a valiant comeback in the second half closing the game two eight points with just over eight minutes left.

The Yellowjackets had three players in double figures led by freshman John Brooks with 17 points.  Freshmen Aaron Terry and Kirk Blaine had 13 and 11, respectively.  MSUB struggled shooting in the first half (32.4 percent), but shot the ball much better in the second (46.7) for a game 39 percent for the game on 25 of 64.  The Jackets were 8 of 33 from long range and 14 of 15 from the charity stripe.

Central Washington (18-6, 12-3 GNAC) shot 53 percent for the game on 33 of 62 from the field.  Matt Penoncello led all scorers with 28 points on 12 of 14 from the field.  Bryce Daub had a game-high 13 rebounds.  The Wildcats shot better than 50 percent in both halves and were 33 of 62 from the field for 53.2 percent.  CWU was 7 of 19 from deep and 15 of 23 from the line.

The game was tied at 15-15 with just over 11 minutes to play in the first half in a nip-and-tuck affair.  Back-to-back-to-back three-pointers by CWU sparked a 17-0 run to put the Wildcats up 32-15 with 7:53 left.  A layup by freshman Cameron Khoury ended a drought of 3:34.

CWU held a 52-37 lead at intermission.

The second half, the Yellowjackets came out with renewed vigor and opened the half with a 23-16 run to cut the deficit to eight 12 minutes into the half.  CWU had the answer again as it went on a game-clinching 12-0 run over the next four minutes to build an 80-60 lead.  The Yellowjackets got as close as 13 points on a layup by Blaine with just over a minute left.

MSUB will play its home season finale on Saturday at 7 p.m. against Western Washington.  Live video streaming, free live stats, and free internet broadcast can be found on the Yellowjackets web site.