SEATTLE, Wa.- Gus Balogh led five Falcons in double figures as 19th-ranked Seattle Pacific University clinched their third Pacific West Conference title in the last five years by defeating Humboldt State University 86-57 in a women's basketball game Thursday night at Brougham Pavilion.

With the victory, the Falcons (17-4, 22-4) assured themselves of an automatic berth to the NCAA tournament March 8-10, at a site to be announced. The tournament seedings will be announced Sunday afternoon (March 4) at 3:30 PST.

Seattle Pacific held a just a 41-36 lead over the Lumberjacks (7-14, 9-16) at half-time, and with 9:33 to play in the game, found themselves up 58-50 before a pair of free-throws by Valerie Gustafson (Fr., Black Hills, Wa.) opened up a 14-0 Falcon run.

SPU's final score (86) was its biggest lead of the game. During the last ten minutes, the Falcons out-scored Humboldt State 28-7.

Balogh (Sr., Szombatheley, Hungary) connected on eight of 17 shots and assisted on three plays while Gustafson finished the night with 15 points and seven rebounds. With her 13 points, Balogh moved ahead of Lori Robinett (1986-89) into the No. 4 spot on Seattle Pacific's career-scoring chart.

Liz Guppy (Sr., Beaverton, Or./Westview) scored eight points, rebounded 10 balls and blocked eight shots for the Falcons while Rebecca Lutes led the Lumberjacks with a game high 19 points and eight rebounds.

Seattle Pacific held a 46-39 advantage on the boards and connected on 18 of 31 of its shots (50%) to the Lumberjacks 34 of 68 (29.5%).

The Falcons play Western Oregon to close out the regular season Saturday night in the first half of a double-header with the Seattle Pacific men's team. Tip-off for the women's game is scheduled for 5:30. Seniors Balogh, Guppy, Kirsten Daniel (Sr., Florence, Or.) and Jana Holme (Sr., Tacoma, Wa.) will be honored in a short ceremony preceding tip-off.

GAME RESULTS: SPU 86 , HSU 57

SPU:
Holme 13, Balogh 16, Guppy 8, Prescott 13, Urrutia 12, Beard, Daniel 4, Lukkes 5, Gustafson 15.

HSU:
Lutes 19, Harter 8, Garay 12, Decuir 2, Vaefaga 5, Anderson 3, Snapp, Bennett, Murphy 4, Dodge, Sappington 4, Hoisington.