The Central Washington University Wildcats kicked off their GNAC basketball season with a dominant 77-63 victory over the Northwest Nazarene Nighthawks in Nampa, Idaho.

With an energetic start, the Wildcats seized an early lead and showcased strong shooting, especially beyond the arc.

Central Washington’s sustained defensive pressure in the third quarter limited the Nighthawks’ offense and proved key to their win.

Despite a spirited fourth-quarter rally by Northwest Nazarene—led by Kendall Clark with 14 points and Chloe Deharo adding 11—the Wildcats held firm thanks to their early efforts.

Looking ahead, Central Washington faces a tough three-game road trip in Southern California against national contenders, aiming to build on their momentum.

In other Nampa news, LEAP Housing has raised over $260,000 to upgrade elevators at Golden Glow Tower, supporting senior residents’ safety, while the College of Western Idaho plans a pivotal acquisition of the Ford Idaho Center to expand its campus and hands-on learning opportunities.