ELLENSBURG (Dec. 6) -- Maurice Cato poured in 28 points, including the decisive two free throws with 2 seconds remaining, as 20th-ranked Seattle Pacific University (1-0, 5-1) won its fifth in a row, 101-100 over Central Washington in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference opener for both teams Thursday night at Nicholson Pavilion.

Cato (Jr., 6-0, Fairfield, Ca.) scored all of his points after intermission, including seven in the second overtime period. He converted 12 of 13 at the foul line and his fourth 3-pointer had given SPU a 99-96 lead midway through the final period.

Central's Troy Nealey scored seven of his 13 in the second overtime, including a go-ahead runner, also with 2 seconds left. But while the Falcons attempted to inbound the ball, Cato was fouled by Sam Moore while setting a screen.

Nick Johnson (Sr., 6-3, Burlington, Wa./Burlington-Edison) added 19 points and Eric Sandrin (Sr., 6-10, Bothell, Wa./Shorecrest) finished with 16 plus 12 rebounds. Sandrin sent the game into the first overtime by hitting the second of two foul shots with 7 seconds to go. Brannon Stone (Sr., 6-9, Oak Harbor, Wa.) had 10 points and 10 rebounds before fouling out.

It was the first double overtime for Seattle Pacific since the 1994-95 season. It overcame 26 turnovers by making 32-44 free throws, shooting 48 percent (31-65) from the field and finishing with a 45-35 edge on the boards.

Cato fueled a rally in the second half of regulation. After trailing by 10, Seattle Pacific went on an 18-8 run to tie the score with Cato scoring 10 of the points

The Wildcats (4-1) lost four players--all starters--to fouls late in regulation and overtime and lost to the Falcons for the fourth time in the last five meetings. In the only win Central eliminated SPU from the first round of the NCAA playoffs in March, also in overtime.

Terry Thompson led CWU with 23 points while Scott Freymond contributed 22. Freymond extended the contest to a second overtime with two free throws for a 91-all tie with 17 seconds left.

The Falcons twice led by as much as 10 points in the first period. Sandrin ignited a 13-2 run with a 3-pointer and a short jumper and Gene Woodard (Jr., 6-4, Edmonds, Wa./O'Dea) capped it with a tip and layup for a 24-14 advantage.

But the Wildcats gradually whittled away at the lead and eventually went ahead, 33-32, on a Freymond trey just before the halftime buzzer.

Seattle Pacific visits Saint Martin's for another GNAC game Saturday night at 7.

SEATTLE PACIFIC -- Cato 26, Aziz 13, Stone 10, Johnson 19, E. Sandrin 16, Lee 2, Bellessa 0, Keely 0, Woodard 4, D. Sandrin 9.

CENTRAL WASHINGTON -- Freymond 20, Moore 12, T. Thompson 23, J. Thompson 16, Townsan 10, Nealey 13, Boast 0, Mitchell 0, Thomas 4.

Halftime--CWU 33, SPU 32. Regulation--79-all. First overtime--91-all.