On Thursday night the Women’s basketball team overcame a four game losing streak, defeating the Western Oregon Wolves 77-63.

The Wildcats took an immediate lead and never looked back, jumping out to a 15-20 point lead at the end of the first quarter.

“We started strong and we had the energy and the focus and the desire and just the determination to go out and there and finished what we started,” said head coach Jeff Harada.

Juniors Sadie Mensing and Taylor Baird lead the scoring contributing 10 and four points respectively, during the first quarter. Mensing would go on to reach a new career high of 19 points and 3 rebounds.

“She showed what she’s capable of,” Harada said of Mensing.

The Wildcats continued to pull away in the second quarter, outscoring the Wolves 16-20.

Shortly into the second quarter, forward JonNae Richardson fell to the ground grabbing her right leg and had to be helped off the court. She would not return for the rest of the game and is expected to receive medical attention.

If Richardson is to remain out of the lineup, Harada believes it will be up to other players to step up and rally together in the meantime.

The Wolves, lead by junior Shelby Snook, gained a bit of ground in the third quarter besting the Wildcats 20-19. Snook scored

“It was a good game, they definitely played us really well, they had an opportunity to try and make a comeback but ultimately we were more prepared, we wanted it more, and we were determined to get the win,” Baird said.

Baird, a transfer from Southern Utah University recorded 18 points and 7 defensive rebounds. In her first season with the Wildcats, Baird has lead the team averaging 13.3 points and 8.6 rebounds per game.

“I love my time with the Wildcats,” Baird said “There’s no other team I’d rather be on.”

In the final quarter the Wildcats pulled away from the Wolves 12-16 ultimately closing out the game 77-63.

Amongst the other scorers were Jasmin Edwards with 11 points and 5 rebounds, Senior Kortney Grattic with 10 points and 10 rebounds and Rachel Lorentson with 7 points and 5 rebounds.

“Everyone stepped up,” Baird said. “We played with confidence and played with the mentality to score and it definitely showed.”

The Wildcats are tied with the Wolves at 2-7 in GNAC action, but look to better their record against Concordia University at home on Saturday, January 21^.