CWU Women’s Basketball fell to Montana State University Billings (MSUB) 78-58 Feb. 8 at home. The Wildcats dropped to 14-10 overall and 10-6 in the GNAC and are down to fifth from fourth in the GNAC standings.

The Wildcats’ bench flourished again as they outscored MSUB 32-12. Sophomores Kaelie Flores and Alexis Pana led the way with a combined 23 of the 32 points.

Flores went 5-for-8 with 12 points, three rebounds, two blocks and 2-for-4 from the free throw line. Pana added 11 points going 4-for-6 from the field, 1-for-1 from three and 2-for-3 from the free throw line.

Being aggressive “has pretty much [been] my mindset every game we go into, I just know that I can attack,” Pana said.

The Wildcats had more than a few looks at the basket, but the shots wouldn’t drop. They were also out rebounded 51-44.

The Wildcats are shooting 42 percent from the field on the season, but against MSUB they shot just 28 percent going 18-for-64. They are shooting 33 percent from three-point range but went 3-for-13.

“I think that our kids are just forcing, they’re not being confident. They’re going in looking for fouls instead of going in trying to make layups,” head coach Randi Richardson-Thornley said. “We missed a lot of layups in the last two games.”

This was the fourth game in seven days for the Wildcats at home and they have gone 2-2, but have won six out of their last eight games.

“I think our kids are tired and this break couldn’t come at a better time for us,” Richardson-Thornley said. “I think fatigue [and] mental fatigue has set in a bit and that’s just highlighting an area where our team needs to grow.”

During the game, two Wildcats suffered injuries. Senior Rachel Lorentson suffered an ankle injury just two minutes into the game and Pana suffered a wrist injury in the third quarter. Neither would return to the game.  

There were no updates on the injures following the game.

The Wildcats are currently on a two game losing streak, but have a full week to recuperate before heading to Bellingham to face GNAC rival Western Washington University on Feb. 15.