Saturday, February 29, 2020

PORTLAND, Ore. – Alaska Anchorage sat atop the conference standings for the entire season, so it’s only fitting that the Seawolves enter as the top seed in the 2020 GNAC Women’s Basketball Championships, which begin Thursday at Seattle Pacific’s Royal Brougham Pavilion.

After being picked to finish third in the preseason poll, nationally-ranked Alaska Anchorage ran away with its sixth straight regular-season title. The Seawolves rank third in Division II with 389 steals and sixth with a +21.9 scoring margin. The Seawolves enter the tournament riding an 11-game win streak, finishing the regular season with a 29-2 overall record and a 19-1 conference mark to earn the No. 1 seed and a bye in the quarterfinals.

Last year’s GNAC Championships winner, Northwest Nazarene finished the regular season 22-6 overall and 17-3 in conference play to earn the No. 2 seed and the other quarterfinals bye. The Nighthawks return to the tournament for the fifth straight year after leading the conference and ranking third in Division II with 14.1 steals per game while also ranking sixth with 23.11 turnovers forced per game.

Finishing tied for fifth place a year ago, Western Washington claimed the No. 3 seed with a 14-6 conference mark (20-8 overall) and returns to the GNAC Championships for the second straight year. The Vikings handed the Seawolves their only conference loss of the season and enter the tournament leading the GNAC in rebounds, assists, blocked shots and field goal percentage.

Simon Fraser earned the No. 4 seed on a tiebreaker, returning to the GNAC Championships for the 10th time in as many years as a member of the conference. The Clan finished the regular season at 18-12 overall and 13-7 in conference play.

The preseason favorite, Central Washington returns to the tournament for the sixth straight year as the No. 5 seed with a 13-7 conference record (18-10 overall). Winners of seven of their last nine games, the Wildcats lead the conference in free throw percentage and three-point field goals made and enter the tournament riding a four-game win streak.

Montana State Billings sneaked into the tournament as the No. 6 seed with a 9-11 conference mark (14-15 overall). The Yellowjackets return to the tournament after a one-year absence.

The GNAC Championships will start on Thursday with No. 3 Western Washington and No. 6 Montana State Billings going head-to-head at 5:15 p.m. The winner will face No. 2 Northwest Nazarene at 5:15 p.m. on Friday. No. 4 Simon Fraser and No. 5 Central Washington will play at 7:30 p.m. with the winner advancing to play No. 1 Alaska Anchorage at 7:30 p.m. on Friday. The championship game is scheduled to tip off at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday.

Tickets for the GNAC Championships can be purchased online at GNACTickets.com. Live webcasts of all tournament games will be available through the conference’s streaming portal, GNAC.tv. The GNAC Women’s Basketball Championships will be played in conjunction with the GNAC Men’s Basketball Championships, which will also be played at Seattle Pacific from March 5-7.

GNAC WOMEN’S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS
At Royal Brougham Pavilion, Seattle, Wash.
Thursday, March 5 (Quarterfinals)
No. 3 Western Washington vs. No. 6 Montana State Billings, 5:15 p.m.
No. 4 Simon Fraser vs. No. 5 Central Washington, 7:30 p.m.

Friday, March 6 (Semifinals)
Western Washington/Montana State Billings winner vs. No. 2 Northwest Nazarene, 5:15 p.m.
Simon Fraser/Central Washington winner vs. No. 1 Alaska Anchorage, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 7
Championship Game, 7:30 p.m.