ELLENSBURG — The Central Washington Wildcats are off to a 6-0 start to their regular season after their sweep last weekend over the San Francisco State Gators and the University of Mary Marauders. With a new group of players leading this season, head coach Randi Richardson said she feels great about where the team is.   

“We're learning a lot about ourselves every game we step out onto the floor as it truly is a really new group playing with each other,” Richardson said. “We're trying to find that camaraderie out on the floor and that unity at times, especially on the offensive side of the ball, but we are finding ways to win and compete in the moment and get the job done.”   

In their first game against SFSU, the Wildcats jumped out to a 16-7 lead in the first quarter. From there, they fought surges in the second and third quarters to maintain the lead. In the fourth quarter, Capri Sims put up a bucket early to spark a 6-1 run that saw the CWU lead increase to 18, 56-38. The 'Cats continued to answer anytime the Gators would go on a small run as a made free-throw by Geriah Bradley concluded the game as the 'Cats earned a 65-44 victory, according to a statement by CWU athletics.   

“Happy to get a win, however, we do not feel we played well or to the standard we want for ourselves today. There are a lot of learnings we can take from today and need to address before we play a very good Mary team tomorrow,” Richardson said in a statement.   

Against Mary, the Wildcats found themselves trailing most of the game, according to Richardson. UMARY jumped out to a 23-19 lead, but CWU kept the game within reach. By halftime, the Wildcats still trailed 39-41.   

Late in the third quarter, a layup by Asher Cai was followed by a three-pointer from Rylee Leishman, tying things up at 50 apiece and after a pair of free throws by the Marauders saw the 'Cats took a lead thanks to a layup from Capri Sims and another three from Leishman to make it 56-52 CWU with 2:24 left in the third. A pair of free throws by Cai was answered with a layup by Bergen Kinnebrew to end the third with the crimson and black on top 57-56.

Both teams continued to exchange baskets as the CWU couldn't get away from the Marauders without a response in the fourth quarter. A three by Sierra Eddie was met with back-to-back buckets from Mary to tie things up at 67 apiece with 6:20 left.  

An and-one by Sims gave the 'Cats a three-point lead, but a pair of free throws by Kinnebrew a couple of minutes later tied things up again at 72 with 4:03 left. Another three by Fiona Snashall and a bucket from Cai was responded to with a three by Anna Lenze,n prompting UMary to take a timeout with CWU on top 77-75 with 2:53 left.   

A layup by Kayla Thornton and a free-throw by Cai were answered with a three from Kinnebrew to make it 80-78 CWU with 1:46 left. Made free throws by the 'Cats down the stretch ensured the 89-82 victory for CWU.  

“We stayed committed to what we were doing, and were able to respond with our own scoring, especially with Asher stepping up offensively as well, and was able to pull out a real close one. It's still really early. There's still a lot that we know we can improve upon, which is also exciting,” Richardson said.   

Despite the Marauders' best efforts to slow Cai down, she met them with consistent shooting, Richardson said. She finished with 37 points, eight assists, five rebounds and two steals. She also made 14 out of 16 free throws, which proved to be crucial in the final stretch of the game. Not only was she finding ways to score, but she was a key component to effective ball movement. Richardson said she was making everyone around her better.   

“She was really smart about how she approached the fourth quarter, given the foul count and taking quality shots. She was a big factor and knocking down her free throws down the stretch too was big,” she said.   

Richardson pointed out that the Wildcats brought in a lot of new players this season. With a lot of younger players that are learning to win at the college level, having more experienced players to guide them alongside Richardson can go a long way. She has found that in Cai, Sims and Annalee Coronado, she said. The trio has been with the Wildcats for three seasons now and is well acclimated to Richardson’s philosophy.   

“They understand the culture, the standards and expectations, and truly they've learned how to win in their time here too. Their leadership has been very transformational to this new group, in a big way,” Richardson said.  

Looking ahead, the Wildcats' undefeated start highlights their high ceiling, coach Richardson said.  Their strong team culture suits their high expectations to succeed this season.   

However, she feels it’s important to take it one game at a time. As they start conference play this Saturday against Northwest Nazarene at 2 p.m. in Nampa, Idaho, Central Washington is focused on getting better. Against NNU, Richardson said they will need to put out the best version of their team to come out the victors.   

“We talk about how greatness takes time, and we have to value each day, in every moment, in every game, and eventually at the end of the year, the hope is that we become the team that we're destined to be,” Richardson said.   

    Rylee Leishman (32) dribbles the ball past a University of Mary defender during their game on Saturday. Leishman recorded three steals in their close win over UMARY.
  

    Asher Cai (21) shoots a floater over a University of Mary defender during their game on Saturday. Cai knocked down 88% of her free throws which were crucial down the stretch.
  

The Wildcats’ Fiona Snashall passes the ball to a teammate as a University of Mary defender closes in. Snashall made five of her six three-point shots on Saturday.