Central Washington Clips Western Oregon, 70-65

Jacob Mitchell led the Wolves with 16 points and 10 rebounds.

Salem-News.com SPORTS

ELLENSBURG, Wash.- - Central Washington defense and cold Western Oregon marksmanship translated to a 70-65 Wildcat victory in a men's basketball game on Saturday night at the Nicholson Pavilion.

The victory improved the Wildcats' record to 7-8 on the season and 2-2 in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play.

Western Oregon, who had to open with its first four conference games on the road, dropped to 0-4 in the GNAC and 5-10 on the year.

WOU shot just 37 percent from the field and hit only 3 of 18 shots from three-point range on a chilly night.

The Wolves cold start allowed CWU to grab the lead early, and they led by as many as 10 points in the first half before settling for a 36-28 lead at the break.

The hosts would go up 10 again early after the break, but the Wolves wouldn't go away.

They eventually cut the Wildcat lead to just two points, and climbed to within one digit on a pair of occasions with less than two minutes left.

Ryan Schmidt's free throws with 16 second left pulled WOU to 67-65, but Johnny Spevak answered with a driving lay-up eight seconds later to seal the game.

Jacob Mitchell led the Wolves with 16 points and 10 rebounds, while Schmidt was also in double figures with 14 points.

Addonal Arrington came off the bench to contribute eight points and eight rebounds.

Tyler Monk led CWU with 15 points, while Colton Monti and Lance Den Boer were also in double figures with 10 points each.

Western Oregon will finally get the home dates that they are looking for, when the host the Alaska schools next Thursday and Saturday at the Physical Education Building.

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