ELLENSBURG — Tied at 36 entering the fourth quarter, Central Washington used an 8-0 run to retake the lead over the visiting No. 6 Montana State Billings Yellowjackets, holding on for a 48-45 win Saturday after a late defensive stand.

"This game was a grind-it-out defensive battle. Billings is a great team and dictated the pace,” Head Coach Randi Richardson said in a release. “However, Coach Jes gave our team a great scout and I was so pleased with how they executed. Our commitment to defend all night, even when our offense was struggling, shows a ton of growth and maturity. (Sunny Huerta) stepped up big in the second half to provide some consistent scoring to keep us close. In the fourth, we executed down the stretch and came up with some big plays as well as big free throws to seal the win. I'm so happy for our ladies." 

The Yellowjackets held a 16-10 advantage after the first quarter, and after CWU took a 23-22 lead in the second quarter, Montana State Billings took a 26-23 lead into the halftime locker room. With Montana State Billings holding a 42-36 lead with under seven minutes to play, the Wildcats went on an 8-0 run with two baskets by guard Sunny Huerta along with layups from guard Annalee Coronado and center Aliyah Finch to take a 44-42 lead with under three minutes to play. 

Down by three to Central, an attempted Yellowjacket three-pointer was blocked by Huerta with 18 seconds to play; following a made basket by Montana State Billings, guard Asher Cai delivered two free throws to give the Wildcats a 48-45 win.  

Huerta led all scorers with 22 points, followed by Cai with seven. Finch and forward Capri Sims both finished the game with six points. 

CWU (12-4, 5-2 GNAC) travels to St. Martin’s on Thursday at 5:15 p.m.