Monday, April 4, 2016

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – A 9-0 run by Alaska Anchorage in the final minutes of the NCAA Division II Women’s Basketball Championship game was not enough to overcome a 14-point deficit, as the Seawolves fell 78-73 to undefeated Lubbock Christian at Banker’s Life Fieldhouse.

Alaska Anchorage was on the comeback trail for the final three quarters after last leading the game 8-7 with 4:21 to go in the first quarter. Trailing 71-57 with 4:55 left in the game, the Seawolves went on an impressive 9-0 run over the following two minutes to pull the deficit down to five points, 71-66.

After a missed free throw, the Seawolves grabbed the offensive rebound, but were unable to capitalize on an opportunity to cut the lead to one possession. After Lubbock Christian extended its lead back to seven points on a layup, senior guard Adriana Dent hit a three-pointer to cut the deficit down to four points with 1:17 left on the clock.

The Seawolves, however, would not get any closer as the Chaparrals closed out the game 78-73 on free throws.

Alaska Anchorage closes out its season with a program record 38-3 overall record. The Seawolves are just the second conference team to reach the national title game and the first since Seattle Pacific did so in 2005.

Forward Megan Mullings finished her collegiate career with one of her best games of the season. The senior had team-highs of 23 points, 12 rebounds and 32 minutes as the team relied on her dominance in the paint in the second half. Fellow senior Jessica Madison connected on 4 of 7 three-pointers, adding 14 points.

As a team, the Seawolves’ struggled with fouls all game, taking 25 personal fouls to the Chaparrals’ 11. Lubbock Christian got to the free-throw line 26 times, connecting on 19, while Alaska Anchorage shot just 7 of 13 from the charity stripe.

Led by Mullings, the Seawolves were dominant on the glass with a 47-30 advantage on the boards. They also held a 20-6 advantage on offensive rebounds, leading to second and third chance opportunities for points. In an uncharacteristic game, the Seawolves turned the ball over 24 times while forcing 11 steals.

Lubbock Christian ends the season with a perfect 35-0 record, one of just three Division II women’s basketball teams to remain undefeated all season with a national title. The Chaparrals were led in their victory by senior guard Nicole Hampton, who finished one assist shy of a triple-double. She posted 22 points, 13 rebounds, nine assists and seven steals to lead Lubbock Christian.

The Seawolves incredible resume includes the GNAC regular season title, the GNAC tournament title, the West Region Championship and runners-up in the national title game. The team’s seven seniors includes Mullings, Madison, Dent, guards Jenna Buchanan, Keiahnna Engel and Christina Davis and forward Dominique Brooks.