Saturday, March 10, 2018

AZUSA, Calif. – Entering the game as the highest-seeded team remaining in the tournament, No. 5 Alaska Anchorage made GNAC squads 2 for 2 today as they hung on to defeat No. 8 seed Humboldt State to advance to the NCAA Division II West Regional final.

Alaska Anchorage (27-4) outscored the Lumberjacks 40-32 in the second half to come away with an 81-73 win. The Seawolves earn the right to take on No. 7 seed Montana State Billings for the West Region title Monday night at 7 p.m. inside Azusa Pacific University’s Felix Event Center.

Junior Hannah Wandersee was one of four Seawolves in double-figure scoring with a team-high 15 points on 5 of 7 shooting while sophomore guard Yazmeen Goo chipped in 13. Junior Sydni Stallworth and freshman Sala Langi provided productive minutes off the bench with 10 points each.

Up 74-73 in the final 1:05, Alaska Anchorage scored the final seven points to earn its fifth trip to the West Regional final. During the stretch, the Seawolves limited HSU to 0 of 3 from the three-point line and was able to knock down five of six free throw attempts to seal the game.

Humboldt State’s Tyla Turner led all players with 18 points while Tyra Turner tallied 17 points. Alaska Anchorage ended the night shooting 58.3 percent from the floor and held a 33-23 rebounding advantage.

Alaska Anchorage began the night strong after storming on a 9-0 run to open the game. It reached its largest lead of the contest at the 6:15 mark of the first quarter when a Wandersee layup put UAA up 11-2.

The Seawolves will take on GNAC-rival Montana State Billings for the third time this season after sweeping the regular season series 81-60 and 73-63. In the two games, senior Shelby Cloninger combined for 40 points while the Seawolves forced 36 Yellowjackets’ turnovers.