Wednesday, March 23, 2016

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – For the first time in program history, the Seawolves are heading to the national title game.

The Alaska Anchorage women’s basketball team took a 7-6 lead early in the first quarter and never looked back, cruising past Grand Valley 67-47 in the Final Four of the NCAA Division II Women’s Basketball Championships.

The win advanced the Seawolves to the finals, to be played on Apr. 4 in Indianapolis, Ind., against undefeated Lubbock Christian. The Chaparrals enter the finals with a 34-0 record in their first season in Division II.

Alaska Anchorage used another balanced scoring effort to earn its second straight 20-plus point victory. Four Seawolves reached double-digit points, led by senior guard Jessica Madison’s 14. Forwards Megan Mullings and Alysha Devine each score 12 points while guard Jenna Buchanan added 10. The Seawolves had 10 players score points in the game.

The Seawolves dominated the stat sheets, shooting 54.5 percent (24 of 44) from the field while hold Grand Valley State to 31.9 percent (15 of 47). Alaska Anchorage also finished at 47.1 percent (8 of 17) from behind the thee-point arc, holding the Lakers to just 24 percent (6 of 25).

Grand Valley State knocked down the first basket of the game, a three-pointer by Taylor Lutz. They regained the lead 6-5 with 6:54 to play in the first quarter after two made free throws by Taylor Parmley. Alaska Anchorage guard Adriana Dent hit a jumper with 6:26 to play to take a 7-6 lead, marking the last time they trailed in the game.

The Seawolves continued the offensive push, taking a 37-21 lead into halftime. They opened the third quarter on an 8-0 run after back-to-back made threes by Madison and Buchanan. Alaska Anchorage then held a 20-plus point advantage until the 4:11 mark in the fourth quarter. They held Grand Valley State to their lowest scoring output of the season of 47 points.

The Seawolves will play in the finals of the NCAA Division II Women’s Basketball Championships for the first time in GNAC and program history. They face Lubbock Christian at 12 p.m. Pacific time on Apr. 5 in Indianapolis, Ind., as a part of the NCAA’s AlumNation initiative. The event consists of a triple-header featuring the Division I, II and III national title games.

Alaska Anchorage becomes just the second GNAC women's basketball program to advance to the national championship game. Seattle Pacific advanced in 2005 where they lost to Washburn, 70-53.