ELLENSBURG — Central Washington University Women's Basketball senior guard Asher Cai opened the 2025-26 season with a big splash at the CCAA-GNAC Crossover to garner her the GNAC Women's Basketball Player of the Week the conference announced Monday afternoon.

“Asher stepped up big for us this weekend all over the floor and her play was a critical piece in us leaving California with two wins,” CWU Head Women's Basketball Coach Randi Richardson said. “She was dynamic in scoring at all three levels, rebounded the ball, was a playmaker for us and for others, defended well in both games, and stepped up big for us from a leadership perspective in helping our team respond well especially when we were challenged. I'm very happy for her to receive this recognition. It is very deserving.”

This is Cai's fourth GNAC Player of the Week honor of her career and her first of the season.

Cai had a heck of an opening weekend averaging 23.5 points per game, six rebounds per game, six assists per game, two steals, and shot 41.4 percent from the floor, 37.5 percent from three, and 94.4 percent at the free-throw line. She helped lead the 'Cats to two regional victories, first a 58-51 game against Cal State East Bay on Friday before sealing critical free-throws down the stretch to help CWU pull away from hosting Cal Poly Humboldt by a 73-66 score Saturday.

Cai first dropped 16 points, five rebounds, and three assists against CSUEB before going on a 31-point, seven rebound, nine assist, two steal tear against CPH. Against the 'Jacks Cai shot 6/14 from the floor, 5/9 from three, and 14/14 at the charity stripe.

Cai and the 'Cats will now turn their attention to the GNAC-PacWest Crossover this weekend in Nampa, Idaho, hosted by fellow GNAC member Northwest Nazarene. CWU first takes on the Vanguard Lions today, Nov. 21, at 4 p.m. PST and will conclude against the Westmont Warriors on Saturday, Nov. 22, at noon PST with both games happening from inside the Johnson Sports Center.