[Game notes]

THE NCAA WEST REGIONAL:
For the first time in school history, and in their first year of eligibility, the Point Loma women's basketball team is dancing. The Sea Lions earned the No. 8 seed as an at-large selection in the NCAA West Regional after going 19-11 on the season and placing third in the PacWest Conference with a 15-5 record. PLNU will go on the road to face No. 1 seed and West Region host Alaska Anchorage in the first round on Friday, Mar. 13 at 8:30 p.m. (PST).
 
FOLLOW ALONG:
The PLNU -UAA game, and all games at the NCAA West Regional, will be available for fans to follow FREE through live video and live stats. Both the live stats and the live video may be accessed at http://portal.stretchinternet.com/uaa/
 
A LOOK AT THE NO. 8 SEA LIONS:
Point Loma came on strong late in the season winning 15 of their final 18 games, before falling in the conference semifinals. The third place finish (15-5) in the PacWest standings was the best for PLNU during its three-year membership in the PacWest. The Sea Lions play even better on the road, where they are 9-2.
 
First team All-PacWest selection Jessica Escorza leads the Sea Lions. She averages 15.5 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists per game and 2.0 steals. She also reaches the free throw line 6.1 times per game (4.8 ftm) and shoots .792 percent from the charity stripe. Madison West is the only other Sea Lion in double-figures. She averages 12.0 ppg and shoots .402 percent from behind the arc. Roya Rustamzada and Riley Abraham are also each averaging 8.7 ppg, respectively.
 
Point Loma's turnaround midway through the season can directly be credited to improved defense and winning the rebounding battle. PLNU did not have the rebounding edge in any of their first 10 contests while starting the year at 1-6. The Sea Lions have been much better over their last 12 games, winning the battle of the boards eight times and finishing within two in two others. Coincidently, PLNU was 10-2 during this stretch.
 
PLNU PACES THE PACWEST:
The Sea Lions were the best defensive team in the PacWest, holding opponents to 61.9 ppg, and just 60.7 ppg in conference play. They have held opponents to .368 percent shooting from the field and .308 from behind the 3-point line. Offensively, PLNU ranks sixth in the PacWest at 68.8 points per game. It shoots .406 percent from the field and .328 percent from behind the arc.  
 
ALL-PACWEST PERFORMERS:
Jessica Escorza and Roya Rustamzada were named to the All-PacWest first and third teams, respectively. Escorza earned first team honors after pacing PLNU scoring, rebounds, assists, steals and free throws. Rustamzada was named PacWest Freshman of the year in addition to being named to the All-PacWest team. She averaged 8.7 points and 5.1 rebounds per game, including 10.6 ppg, 6.9 rebounds and 2.4 assists as a starter.
 
FIRST ROUND MATCHUP - No. 1 ALASKA ANCHORAGE:
Alaska Anchorage earned the Great Northwest Athletic Conference's automatic bid to the NCAA West Regional by winning the regular season and postseason championships while posting a 29-1 record (17-1 GNAC). They are 18-1 at home this season with their only loss coming against Northwest Nazarene on the first day of the New Year. Megan Mullings 13.7 ppg leads three Seawolves in double-figures. She is shooting .605 percent from the field. As a team UAA shoots .437 percent and averages 79.8 ppg. However, the calling card of the Seawolves is their defense which allows just 59.3 ppg and holds opponents to a .371 shooting percentage. UAA also outrebounds its opponents by over 10 boards per game.
 
LAST MEETING:
This will be the first-ever meeting between the Sea Lions and the Seawolves.

REGIONAL SCHEDULE:
Friday, Mar. 13 - Quarterfinals
Noon: #6 Seattle Pacific (21-6) vs #3 Humboldt State (23-5)
2:30 pm: #7 Cal Poly Pomona (19-8) vs #2 Cal State Dominguez Hills (26-6)
5:00 pm: #5 Cal Baptist (24-6) vs #4 Hawaii Pacific (25-4)
7:30 pm: #8 Point Loma (19-11) vs #1 Alaska Anchorage (29-1)
 
Saturday, March 14 - Semifinals
5:00 pm: SPU/HSU winner vs CPP/CSUDH winner
7:30 pm: CBU/HPU winner vs PLNU/UAA winner
 
Monday, March 16 - Championship
7:00 pm: Semifinal winners