Complete Box Score

La JOLLA, Calif. (Mar. 9) ­ Kelsey Hill hit a timely basket in the final two minutes and finished with 19 points, pacing Seattle Pacific University to a 69-60 win over Sonoma State in the opening game of the NCAA Division II West Regional Friday at RIMAC Arena.

Jackie Hollands hit key treys in the win over SSU. She finished with 15 points for the day. Photo by Jimmy Gekas

With the victory, the Falcons (20-8) move into the semifinal round and a rerun of the last two regional championship games against Chico State Saturday night. The Wildcats advanced by beating Cal State San Bernardino 63-50.

Although SPU (20-8) led throughout the contest, a rally by Sonoma (14-13) trimmed a 12-point deficit to 59-58. Hill (So., 6-2, Portland, Or./Portland Christian) rolled left and answered with a close-range banker to ignite a spurt of eight straight points down the stretch.

Hill finished with her eighth double-double and the third in the last four outings. She pulled down 10 rebounds, blocked two shots and shot 8 of 13 from the floor.

Jackie Hollands (Jr., 5-9, Oregon City, Or.) added 15 points, sinking three of the team's seven (of 18) treys.

After Hill's basket, the Seawolves went scoreless on their next three possessions. Jessie Menkens (Sr., 5-10, Battle Ground, Wa./Prairie) converted two free throws after Rachel Strand's (Sr., 6-0, Shoreline, Wa./King's) offensive rebound, for a 64-58 cushion. Hollands made four straight from the line in the final 17 seconds.

"Getting good post play enabled us to get some good looks outside," said SPU coach Julie van Beek.

The Seawolves led the nation in three-point defense, holding opponents to 28 percent. They had held SPU to an eight-year scoring low in a 56-49 win in December.

"When they doubled down on Kelsey that left us wide open on the perimeter," said van Beek. "And when we penetrated we got more movement and made their defense work harder."

Shorthanded due to injuries, Seattle Pacific still managed to get excellent production from its bench. Jessie Christensen (Jr., 5-9, Enumclaw, Wa.) and Menkens each had eight points.

Sonoma State's Danae Wellander led all players with 20 points and Chelsey Armacost had 14.

Bothe teams cooled after shooting the ball well in the opening half. Hollands and Hill helped stake SPU to a 36-32 lead at the break. The Falcons had gone up 27-17 after Hill converted inside and Libby Magnuson followed with a three-pointer.

Hill led a 14-4 charge, widening the gap to 53-41 midway through the second period. Menkens had a steal, assist and layup during the spree.

The Seawolves gradually pulled closer until Genny Anderson's jumper capped a 9-2 run with 2:57 left.

The Falcons made 44 percent of their field goals (23-52) and out-rebounded SSU 34-30. They had a 9-2 advantage in second-chance points.

It was fifth year in a row that Seattle Pacific won its postseason opener.

SEATTLE PACIFIC 69, SONOMA STATE 60
SONOMA STATE (14-13) Wellander, Danae 6-15 7-9 20; Armacost, Chelsey 5-7 0-0 14; Anderson, Genny 5-13 0-0 10; Hester, Nichola 2-5 2-4 8; Redfield, Lauren 2-6 0-0 6; Mertle,Heidi 1-3 0-0 2; Russo, Jennifer 0-4 0-0 0; Riberdy, Renee 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 21-53 9-13 60.
SEATTLE PACIFIC (20-8) Hill,Kelsey 8-13 3-4 19; Hollands,Jackie 4-9 4-4 15; Menkens,Jessie 3-9 2-2 8; Christensen,Jessie 3-4 2-2 8; Magnuson,Libby 2-5 1-3 7; Strand,Rachel 1-4 3-4 5; Christensen,Beth 1-3 1-2 4; Henderson,Daesha 1-5 0-0 3. Totals 23-52 16-21 69.
Halftime-SPU 36, SSU 32. 3-point goals-SSU 9-17 (Armacost, Chelsey 4-5; Hester, Nichola 2-2; Redfield, Lauren 2-5; Wellander, Danae 1-2; Russo, Jennifer 0-2; Anderson, Genny 0-1), SPU 7-18 (Hollands,Jackie 3-6; Magnuson,Libby 2-3; Christensen,Beth 1-2; Henderson,Daesha 1-2; Strand,Rachel 0-1; Menkens,Jessie 0-4). Fouled out-- None. Rebounds-SSU 30 (Anderson, Genny 7; Hester, Nichola 7), SPU 34 (Hill,Kelsey 10). Assists-SSU 13 (Wellander, Danae 5), SPU 16 (Strand,Rachel 5). Total fouls-SSU 18, SPU 12. A-183