Wednesday, February 26, 2014

PORTLAND, Ore. – After a pair of big wins last week, Alaska Anchorage moved into the top-10 in the second round of NCAA West Region Rankings, checking in at No. 8. 

Seattle Pacific stayed at the No. 4 spot by virtue of winning both of its games last week. Montana State Billings, which checked in at No. 1 in the first regional rankings last week, fell one spot to No. 2 after losing to Saint Martin’s on Saturday.

Simon Fraser was ranked No. 2 in last week’s regional rankings, but dropped one spot to No. 3 as the Clan split two games with UAA and Alaska Fairbanks last weekend.

Western Washington, the other GNAC school appearing in the top-10 last week at No. 9, fell to No. 10 week’s rankings after losing to Alaska Anchorage on Saturday.

The third and final NCAA West Region rankings will be released next week on March 5, with the NCAA postseason selection show taking place on March 9. The top-eight teams in the final poll will earn berths to the NCAA West Region playoffs. 

West Region - 1. Cal Poly Pomona (20-4); 2. Montana State Billings (17-6); 3. Simon Fraser (17-7); 4. Seattle Pacific (16-7); 5. Chico State (17-7); 6. Cal State Dominguez Hills (15-8); 7. Academy of Art (20-6); 8. Alaska Anchorage (17-5); 9. UC San Diego (15-9); 10. Western Washington (13-8).

RACE FOR GNAC TOURNAMENT SEEDING 

With one weekend remaining, first-place Montana State Billings can wrap up the No. 1 overall seed and a first-round bye with a win in either of its games this weekend. The Yellowjackets host Alaska Fairbanks and Alaska Anchorage, the latter being one of three GNAC teams to defeat MSUB this season.

Currently tied for second place, Simon Fraser and Western Washington will meet in the ROOT SPORTS Game of the Week on Saturday at 3 p.m. in Bellingham. The winner could earn a first-round bye, depending on UAA’s results against MSUB and Seattle Pacific this weekend. 

If the Seawolves win both games and MSUB loses twice, UAA would leapfrog three teams to claim the regular season title. On the other hand, UAA could finish as low as sixth place if it were to lose twice and both SPU and Saint Martin’s win both of their games.

Seattle Pacific and Saint Martin’s have clinched berths, but are not in contention for a first-round bye regardless of this weekend’s results. 

Seeding will be official after the conclusion of Saturday’s games, with the top two teams earning first-round byes. Seeds three-through six will play in the Quarterfinals on Wednesday, March 5, with the winners advancing to face the top-two teams in the Semifinals on Friday, March 7. The women’s championship game is slated for 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 8.