The Central men’s basketball team looks to deliver the Seattle Pacific University Falcons (SPU) (19-7 overall, 11-5 GNAC) a late season loss and take over second place in the GNAC.

The Wildcats just came off two wins at home versus the Alaska schools, and improved their record to (16-7 overall, 11-5 GNAC).

Central comes into the contest at third place in the GNAC, right behind SPU, which owns the tie breaker because of a better overall record.

If Central can come away with a win on the road, the team will be in the driver’s seat for second place in the GNAC playoffs.

The GNAC playoffs give the top two teams first round byes, while the next four play games.

Extra rest and fewer games instead of three would be a big benefit for Central.

Assistant coach Drew Harris knows how important that second seed is to his team’s chances.

“For the last few years towards the end of the season we were never this far up and to have a top two finish would be something big for us,” Harris said. “It would be huge to get the win Thursday and help secure that top two seed going into the playoffs and get that bye.”

SPU has a dominant defense and has relied on it for most of the season. They are leading the GNAC in scoring defense.

The Falcons are holding opposing teams to an average of 64.9 points per game.

SPU ranks first in the GNAC in scoring margin at +15.3. It has lit up the scoreboard, putting up more than 100 points three times this season.

The Falcons rely on senior center Cory Hutsen for a lot of that scoring. Hutsen is averaging 16 points per game and 4.3 rebounds per game.

Along with Hutsen, SPU has junior forward Mitch Penner. Penner is averaging 13.5 points per game and 5.5 rebounds per game.

“We know what they want to do.” Harris said “For the last few years, since Coach Looney has been there, they play that style of defense where they really pack it in and make you work for your points. We want to do a good job not settling for bad shots.”

The Wildcats rank first in field goal percentage defense holding teams to a meager 42.6 percent and third in three-point percentage defense, holding teams to 35.1 percent.

Joseph Stroud is partly to thank for an improved defense this season.

Stroud is second in the GNAC and seventh in the nation in blocks, averaging 2.8 blocks per game.

He also does his part on the offensive side, putting up 11.6 points per game. Despite not taking many shots, Stroud has been exceptional.

He does not miss many shots and stats prove it. He ranks first in the GNAC in field goal percentage, shooting a red hot 72.4 percent.

“Picking the rights shots, knowing what I can do with the ball.” Stroud said “Really running the floor and cutting to the basket when my teammates drive. It really leads to layups and that’s mostly what I get, layups, dunks, and free throws.”

Along with Stroud the Wildcats hold one of the biggest scoring threats in the GNAC this season.

Redshirt senior guard, Dom Williams has been an absolute beast on the offensive end this year.

Williams ranks second in the GNAC with 19.9 points per game. Williams will hit it from behind the arc all day if he is left unguarded.

He boasts a 45.2 three-point shooting percentage putting him at fifth place in the GNAC. With Stroud blocking shots and Williams knocking down the three ball, this Wildcat team can be very tough to beat.

“Staying aggressive and learning to adjust to the defense.” Williams said “Being a scorer every team will throw different defenses at you so to be a good scorer you need to learn how to adjust. My main thing is try and attack and get my teammates going early.”

After the Wildcats take on the Falcons, they will turn their attention to their final game of the season when they tip-off with Montana State Billings.

The Wildcats hope to get one more win to finish their push for the second place spot in the playoffs and a first round bye.

Stroud has all the faith in the world in the leading scorer for the Wildcats as the season winds down.

“He’s [Williams] been real crucial.” Stroud said “Honestly, if we didn’t have Dom we would really have to work harder. I mean he makes it easy on the offense when we need something we can go to him and depend on him and have the confidence he will make something.”