FAIRBANKS (March 1) -- Kerie Hughes (Sr., 5-6, Mount Vernon, Wa./Mount Vernon) recorded a game-high 21 points for the second time in three nights, this time leading the Seattle Pacific University women's basketball team past Alaska- Fairbanks 84-69 in a Great Northwest Athletic Conference game Saturday night at the Patty Center.

Currently ranked No. 1 in the NCAA Division II national poll and first in the West Region, the Falcons tonight wrapped up their second conference title in three years and their first-ever GNAC crown.

The Falcons (16-0, 25-0) shot a remarkable 70 percent in the first half on 17- of-24 shooting, led by Hughes who scored 11 points by converting all four shot attempts. The Nanooks (8-16, 3-13) could not keep pace with the hot-shooting Falcons and trailed by as much as 13 points just over six minutes into the contest.

The Nanooks refused to give in, however, and drew to within six points with six minutes remaining, after which the Falcons answered with a 14-5 run to finish the contest.

Hughes finished the game shooting 6-for-10 from the floor and 8-for-12 from the charity stripe. She also handed out a team-high six assists. Posts Valerie Gustafson (Jr., 6-0, Olympia, Wa./Black Hills) and Kelley Berglund (Sr., 6-3, Port Angeles, Wa./Washington State) commanded the paint for the Falcons, each chipping in 14 points, with Berglund adding 12 rebounds for her seventh double- double of the season.

Seattle Pacific returns to Brougham Pavilion this Thursday, March 6, to play Western Oregon. The Falcons then host the regular season finale on Saturday.

SEATTLE PACIFIC -- Hughes 21, Beaumont 3, Urrutia 11, Berglund 14, Gustafson 14, Smith 10, Hermanson 7, Wood 0, Lukkes 0, Poe 2, Kroon 2.

ALASKA-FAIRBANKS -- Chan 4, Durny 9, Hartman 8, Taalak 9, Kupzyk 1, Arts 12, Hollenbeck 6, Marshall 0, Burgess 20.

Halftime -- SPU 42, UAF 25