Wildcats earn top seed in NCAA West to host regionals
CALEB PEREZ | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 5 months, 1 week AGO
Kayla Thornton from the Wildcats sprints toward the basket while evading a Yellowjackets defender during the GNAC tournament semifinals. CWU and MSUB are set to face again in the NCAA Division II West Region Tournament.
COURTESY PHOTO/BEN MAGNUS/WWU ATHLETICS
BELLINGHAM — The Central Washington University Wildcats (23-6) concluded their run in the GNAC Tournament Friday during the semifinal round when they fell 74-79 to the Montana State Billings Yellowjackets (19-14). Despite the loss, CWU earned the top seed in the 2026 NCAA Division II West Region Tournament.
“Our team showed a lot of fight and played hard,” said CWU Head Coach Randi Richardson. “I’m so proud of our fight and effort, but we didn’t have enough execution in finishing possessions with rebounds, making paint shots and limiting our fouls. Credit to MSUB, they played a great game and never let us pull ahead.”
The Yellowjackets started strong, outscoring the Wildcats in the first quarter of the semifinal matchup. CWU cut into Montana’s lead in the second quarter, which was the highest scoring quarter for both teams, and went into half with the Wildcats down 40-41.
Central was persistent in the second half, playing with high intensity and keeping the score close. The Yellowjackets stayed just ahead in the final two quarters of the game, leading to the Wildcats falling by just five.
Annalee Coronado of the Wildcats led the team on offense with 24 points scored while adding two rebounds, three assists and a steal. CWU's Kayla Thornton had a new career high with 19 points scored with four rebounds, two assists and two steals.
Central Washington’s Asher Kai added on 14 points with four rebounds, three assists, a block and a steal and Capri Sims put up 12 points, nine rebounds and two assists. The Wildcats also shot 35.7% from the floor and from three while going 14-14 at the free throw line.
With the GNAC tourney concluding, the Wildcats turn their attention toward the NCAA Division II West Region Tournament. For the first time in program history, the CWU Women’s Basketball Team will be hosting after earning the number one seed.
Under Richardson, the Wildcats have now advanced to the NCAA Tournament four times with all four appearances coming in the last five seasons. Their first NCAA Tournament win came in 2022 and made history last season by making it to the program’s first-ever Sweet 16.
The 2026 appearance will mark the seventh CWU appearance in the NCAA Division II Tournament.
The Wildcats are set to face off against the Yellowjackets in the first round of the NCAA tourney. Montana State Billings is coming off their victory in the GNAC championships against Western Washington as they head into regionals as the eighth seed.
The Wildcats and Yellowjackets face off in Ellensburg on Friday at 5 p.m. in the first round of the NCAA West Region Tournament.
BOX SCORE
MSTB: 16-25-21-17: 79
CWU: 11-29-19-15: 74
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