Tight Race to Postseason Entering Final Week
The penultimate week of the California Pacific Conference concluded with a thrilling double-overtime battle between La Sierra and Westcliff, and the Golden Eagles' 88-80 win threw the race for the final two spots in the postseason tournament into a dead heat. With two games remaining in the final week of the regular season, no postseason seedings are finalized, but four of the six teams that will extend their seasons have been determined, and the final two spots are up for grabs with four teams in contention. Last week, Antelope Valley (14-4) and Benedictine Mesa (13-5) secured a spot in the conference tournament, and last Saturday Embry-Riddle (13-5) and Simpson (12-6) punched their tickets to the postseason. The two remaining berths will be determined this week. Park-Gilbert (11-7) appears to have an inside track to one of those spots, with the sixth and final spot going to Westcliff, UC Merced, or La Sierra—all 9-9 with two games to play. Park closes out the regular season hosting Cal Maritime and Pacific Union, but things get very interesting with the other three teams. WU hosts SU and UCM in its finale—which may determine the final team in the tourney. Before playing the Warriors on Saturday, Feb. 24, the Bobcats visit Saint Katherine on Thursday, Feb. 22. LSU has a huge hurdle to overcome, playing UAV and ERAU on its home court.
Tuesday's highlights: Cal Maritime reached triple digits with its 104-72 win over visiting Pacific Union. The Keelhaulers had six players in double figures, topped by Alicia Porter's 25 points to go along with 15 rebounds. Janaya Berry had a game-high 27 points to lead the Pioneers.
Thursday's highlights: UC Merced jumped out to a 17-6 first-quarter lead and then the defense took over as the Bobcats defeated Park-Gilbert 50-40. Sarina Nagra led UCM with 16 points, and Nicole Lukito had another monster rebounding night, pulling down 22 boards to go along with 10 points. Kayla Schroeder was the only Buccaneer in double figures with 12 points…Rory Hetrick led three Simpson players in double figures with 18 points as the Red Hawks edged Benedictine Mesa 66-60. Raenesha Willis poured in a game-high 20 points for BENU, and Nyah Henderson added 12 points and 10 rebounds…Aryana Gonzales drained 6-of-7 3-pointers and finished with 28 points to lead Embry-Riddle past visiting Westcliff, 81-71. Valisa Millhouse had a big scoring night, totaling 30 points…Emily Fortin sank 5-of-7 3-pointers and totaled 22 points to lead Saint Katherine past visiting La Sierra, 73-62. Madison Torres added nine points and six steals. Symere Shelton and Jada Hughes each finished with 11 points for the Golden Eagles.
Saturday's highlights: Nicole Lukito's double-double of 17 points and 13 rebounds guided UC Merced past visiting Benedictine Mesa 67-54. Imani Johnson added seven points and six assists for the Bobcats. Alize Ruiz led the Redhawks with 18 points…Simpson got past Park-Gilbert 66-63 in overtime. SU's Nikki Thompson broke a 63-63 tie with a free throw with 21 seconds left, and Rachel Gafford sealed with two more free throws with just two seconds remaining. Gafford led SU with 17 points, and Park's Kayla Schroeder tossed in a game-high 21 points…Embry-Riddle won its seventh consecutive game, defeating Saint Katherine 68-58. Zakiirah King came off the bench to lead the Eagles with 16 points while Ana Daniels topped the Firebirds with 20 points…Tied 72-72 after four quarters and one overtime period, La Sierra erupted for 16 points to pull away from host Westcliff for an 88-80 victory. LSU's Sonia Randall had a huge night off the bench, going for 27 points, nine rebounds, and five steals. Daja Scott-Mitchell recorded another double-double with 14 points and 18 rebounds. Valisa Millhouse totaled 25 points, five assists, and six steals for the Warriors…Antelope Valley handed visiting Cal Maritime a 76-61 setback as four Pioneers reached double digit scoring. Jordan Rogers-McAdam led UAV with 19 points, eight rebounds, and five assists. Alicia Porter registered a double-double for CSUM, finishing with 18 points and 13 rebounds.
RECENT RESULTS
Tuesday, Feb. 13
CAL MARITIME 104, PACIFIC UNION 72 | Box Score
CSUM: 2-15, 2-19
PUC: 0-18, 0-21
Thursday, Feb. 15
UC MERCED 50, PARK-GILBERT 40 | Box Score
UCM: 8-9, 9-15
PARK: 11-6, 13-11
EMBRY-RIDDLE 81, WESTCLIFF 71 | Box Score
ERAU: 12-5, 14-11
WU: 9-8, 11-11
SAINT KATHERINE 73, LA SIERRA 62 | Box Score
USK: 7-10, 10-14
LSU: 8-9, 8-13
SIMPSON 66, BENEDICTINE MESA 60 | Box Score
SU: 11-6, 14-11
BENU: 13-4, 13-10
Saturday, Feb. 17
SIMPSON 66, PARK-GILBERT 63 (OT) | Box Score
SU: 12-6, 15-11
PARK: 11-7, 13-12
EMBRY-RIDDLE 68, SAINT KATHERINE 58 | Box Score
ERAU: 13-5, 15-11
USK: 7-11, 10-15
ANTELOPE VALLEY 76, CAL MARITIME 61 | Box Score
UAV: 14-4, 17-9
CSUM: 2-16, 2-20
UC MERCED 67, BENEDICTINE MESA 54 | Box Score
UCM: 9-9, 10-15
BENU: 13-5, 13-11
LA SIERRA 88, WESTCLIFF 80 (2OT) | Box Score
LSU: 9-9, 9-13
WU: 9-9, 11-12
UPCOMING GAMES
Tuesday, Feb. 20
ANTELOPE VALLEY at LA SIERRA
Thursday, Feb. 22
PACIFIC UNION at BENEDICTINE MESA
CAL MARITIME at PARK-GILBERT
EMBRY-RIDDLE at LA SIERRA
SIMPSON at WESTCLIFF
UC MERCED at SAINT KATHERINE
Saturday, Feb. 24
CAL MARITIME at BENEDICTINE MESA
EMBRY-RIDDLE at ANTELOPE VALLEY
SIMPSON at SAINT KATHERINE
PACIFIC UNION at PARK-GILBERT
UC MERCED at WESTCLIFF
END OF REGULAR SEASON
CALIFORNIA PACIFIC CONFERENCE
BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENTS
At UC Merced | Merced, Calif.
Saturday, March 2
Women's Opening Round
1:00 pm - Game 3: #4 seed vs. #5 seed
3:30 pm - Game 4: #3 seed vs. #6 seed
Sunday, March 3
Women's Semifinals
6:00 pm - Women's Semi 1: Game 3 vs. #1 Seed
8:30 pm - Women's Semi 2: Game 4 Winner vs. #2 Seed
Tuesday, March 5
Women's Championship
7:00 pm