Central Washington Wildcats Triumph as 2024 GNAC Men’s Basketball Champions!
By Jonathan Hudson
ELLENSBURG, Wash. – The Central Washington men’s basketball team is your 2024 Great Northwest Athletic Conference Tournament Champions! The Wildcats beat Alaska Anchorage 78-69 on Saturday night in Nicholson Arena. This is the first time the ‘Cats have hoisted the trophy since their conference title in 2011. Samaad Hector scored 22 points and grabbed 14 rebounds on the night. His ninth double-double of the season earned him the GNAC tournament MVP.
CWU Men’s Basketball celebrates as GNAC Champions!
QUOTABLE
“This Championship means so much. The history of this program, the new facility we have is beautiful, but it is going to be a whole lot more beautiful when we get all those banners up, 33 conference championships, now 34,” said Head Coach Brandon Rinta “I am just so proud of this team to be able to get this program to the place where we can have a game like last night and beat a team as good as Billings turn right around and play a great Anchorage team. They have been consistent all year. We knew they weren’t going to go away, and they made a run in the second half.”
Rinta added, “In the game of basketball I believe you got to have the talent, but a close second is leadership and these two guys, Sammad Hector and Camron McNeil, as good of leaders as I have coached in 23 years and that is the main reason why we were able to do what we did today is because of these guys leadership.”
“I’ll say it again. I appreciate our fans. We wouldn’t be able to do this without them and they bring us that extra energy we need even when things aren’t going our way that has been helpful all season long,” said senior Samaad Hector.
Hector added, “To close the conference with 22 points and 14 rebounds I am going to give that one to my coaches and teammates, again they always put me in positions to thrive and throw confidence my way and I play with a lot of energy. I wouldn’t be able to be sitting here talking to you if it weren’t for them. So, I appreciate them and the fans for everything that they have done for us this year. This is not just me; this is all of the program and the Ellensburg community.”
Senior guard Camron McNeil spoke about the Championship and what it means. “It is unbelievable. I don’t think I have come to the realization yet that we actually won it. I think I need to go to sleep and wake up and let it verify it for itself again.”
McNeil added, “This is my second year here. Last year we made it to the semifinals, and it has been a process to get to the Championship game. It was a hard-fought championship game. We had moments where we were up by a lot of points, and they fought back. Our team showed determination.”
NOTABLE STATS
The Seniors balled out in their final game in Nicholson Arena. Samaad scored 22 points, Camron McNeil tallied 14 points and four rebounds, and Anjaylo Lloyd added 12 points.
The free-throw line was the difference maker. Central Washington went 18-22 from the charity stripe compared to Alaska Anchorage, who made 11 of 18.
In the loss, Tyson Gilbert scored 24 points for the Seawolves.
FIRST HALF
Samaad Hector scored the first seven points for the ‘Cats. He converted two layups and nailed one from beyond the arc. Hector’s three gave Central Washington the early 7-5 advantage.
Camron McNeil hit back-to-back threes which brought the crowd to its feet and kick started a 14-2 run. After the scoring flurry, Central Washington had a 21-11 lead with just over eight minutes to go in the half.
The Wildcats ended the half strong. First, Jello nailed one of his signature deep threes. Then, Colby Gennett drove into the lane and made a layup. Finally, McNeil ended the half with a tough and one to give the crimson and black the 39-26 lead.
SECOND HALF
The Wildcats controlled the first half, but Alaska Anchorage is a great team, didn’t back down, and fought back. The Seawolves scored the opening six points of the frame, which cut the deficit to seven, 39-32.
Alaska Anchorage kept pushing and strung together a 12-3 run. Hasaan Harrington found Dillon Barrientos, who drained a three to tie the game at 46 with 12:33 left. This was a tipping point for the ‘Cats who had held a sizeable lead for most of the game. Central Washington didn’t blink and continued to run their offense.
Seth Dawson made a powerful move in the lane and laid one in. Then, Cavin Holden buried a three and Maverick Sanders made a layup to push Central Washington’s lead back to six, with just over ten minutes to go.
Late in the game, Hector drove in the paint, got fouled, and put one high off the glass and in. He made the free throw to complete the three-point play and put Central Washington up by eight. In the blink of an eye, the Seawolves stormed back. Sawyer Storms got fouled and made all three of his free throws, which made it a one possession game, 66-63.
Jordan Clark drew a foul and made a circus layup. Jordan’s ensuing free throw put Central Washington ahead by six and shifted the momentum back in their favor. The Wildcats made six free throws down the stretch to win the Championship!
UP NEXT
With the Championship win, the ‘Cats earn an automatic bid to the big dance. Central Washington will find out who they play in Sunday’s selection show at 8:00 p.m.
