Lake Larsen | Sports Editor
For the final time in the 2018-19 season, the Wolves took their home-court on Feb. 23. Having beaten Central Washington University early in the season on Jan. 24, Western knew their final match was a must-win to finish their home-season off right.
After a senior night presentation for the departing members of the team, the Wolves started to take it to the Wildcats. Within minutes of tipoff, the Wolves sank a couple of baskets to jump out to a slim four-point lead. This minimal lead proved to withstand the precision shooting of Central Washington as the Wolves clung to it. By midway through the half, Western was able to build off of their lead, pushing it to seven.
The Wildcats were nipping at the heels of the Wolves throughout the final minutes of the first half. However, every comeback attempt by Central Washington was met with a barrage of shots by the Wolves. Western’s lead was extended to a double-digit margin with only a handful of minutes left. But a relentless final push by the Wildcats shrank that lead to four by halftime.
The Wildcats were able to carry the momentum they built in the closing seconds of the first half to the second. The once mighty double-digit Western lead had been diminished to a single point. This minuscule lead was soon eliminated as Central Washington took their first lead of the game.
Less than 10 minutes remained on the clock as the score stood deadlocked at 51 each. After a good free throw and a breakaway dunk, the Wolves were back on top. And this time, the Wolves wouldn’t surrender their lead. Every shot by the Wolves pushed their lead higher and higher. The Wildcats had no answer for this deadly finale by Western.
The Wolves had taken a tied game, and 10 minutes later had beaten the Wildcats by a huge 15 point margin. Smiles could be seen across the Western side as the Wolves had blown away Central Washington 77-62.
The Wolves finish their season with two more matches against Western Washington and Simon Fraser before heading to the GNAC Tournament.
Contact the author at howlsports@wou.edu
Photo courtesy of Paul F. Davis
