Getting off to an early and productive start to recruiting, Seattle Pacific University signed five women's basketball recruits to national letters of intent.

Coach Gordy Presnell (14th year) announced that Emily Faurholt of Kennewick High School, Ashley Cadotte of Oregon City, Angie Wells of Hillsboro's Westview, Michelle Beaumont of Bellingham's Sehome and Mackenzie Duffin from Kent-Meridian will join the Falcons next season.

Faurholt averaged 16.4 points as a junior for Kennewick, the 2000 state 4A champion, including 17 in the title game victory over Prairie. A 5-11 post, she was selected both first team all-conference and all-state.

Beaumont, a 5-foot-11 senior, was first team all-Wesco as a junior, averaging 21.9 points and 6.3 rebounds for the Mariners. She was second team all-conference as a sophomore. This past summer Beaumont was an all-star selection at Oregon City's End of the Oregon Trail elite tournament.

Mackenzie Duffin, at 6-2, is the tallest member of the recruiting class. Duffin was one of the Royals' top players last season when they advanced to the district tournament.

Both Cadotte and Wells come from Oregon programs ranked among the top 25 nationally in one preseason poll. Cadotte is a 6-foot wing while the 5-11 Wells was a member of Westview's state championship team last spring. Westview (27-3) defeated Oregon City (24-5) in the semifinals. Westview is No. 18 and Oregon City 23rd by Hoop Planet.

Seattle Pacific has been picked to win the Pacific West Conference this season. The Falcons finished 21-7 and made the NCAA Division II playoffs for the fourth consecutive year and fifth time in six years in 2000.

SPU defeated Portland 72-68 in an exhibition game Tuesday night. The regular season opens Friday against Pacific (Or.) in Ellensburg.