The Wildcats will face Western Washington University (WWU) at home on Jan. 20.  With both teams on the fringe of playoff contention, this game could move WWU past CWU in the standings with a win. CWU has a 4-4 conference record, WWU is 3-5 in conference play.

CWU is coming off a 79-73 victory against Northwest Nazarene University (NNU), ending the Crusaders’ four-game win streak. Senior guard Jasmine Edwards led scoring with 19 points. This was a big win for CWU giving NNU just their third loss of the season.

“There is a lot of basketball to be played and the GNAC is such a tough conference that you just have to take it game by game the whole season,” senior forward Taylor Baird said.

The Wildcats are currently ranked sixth in the GNAC and with a month and a half left in the regular season, they will have a fair shot at a playoff spot.

CWU is led by seniors Baird and Edwards and junior Sadie Mensing who average over 25 minutes per game each. Baird leads the Wildcats in rebounds with 7.1 per game and is ranked seventh in the GNAC.

Edwards has had double digit scoring in her last eight games and is leading the team in scoring with 13.9 points per game.

“The season has been going pretty well so far. We have been learning a lot along the way and it’s all starting to come together,” Baird said.

WWU swept the Wildcats last season with three wins, including the win that ended CWU’s season in the second round of the playoffs. Saturday’s game will be the first matchup for the two teams this season the the Wildcats having the home court advantage.

Head coach Randi Richardson is in her first season as head coach for the Wildcats, but her fourth with the team.

“My first season has been going great and I am really excited to be working with these girls and trying to win some games,” Richardson said.

Richardson has former experience against WWU as an assistant so it will be exciting to see how the game goes.

WWU is currently on a four game losing streak in league play and has two more games to play before they meet CWU. The Vikings have a 1-4 away record, giving CWU the home court advantage. CWU is 4-2 at home this season. Last season, WWU went 18-2 in conference action while CWU went 15-15.

“[We] definitely love playing at home, especially for a rivalry game like this one,” Richardson said. “The fans come out and the gym is usually pretty loud and exciting.”

Junior guard Sadie Mensing is having yet another breakout season adding to her successful career at CWU. She currently averages 13 points per game, compared to last season where she averaged 9.3 points.

“The team is starting to play really well together and I try to do anything I can to help us get a win,” Mensing said. “I am glad my hard work is paying off.”

Playoffs are still a long way from now and with 13 games left, anything could happen. If the season ended today, CWU would make the playoff for the third straight year, but with all those games left, focus is key.