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WOMEN'S TOURNAMENT
When: March 6, 8-9
Where: Marcus Pavilion, Saint Martin’s University
What’s at stake: Winner gets an automatic berth into the Division II West Regional tournament March 15-16, 18, location TBD.
Tickets at the door: Adults -- tournament reserved seating ($55), tournament general admission ($40); reserved single-game ($15); tournament general admission ($10). Seniors and students – tournament general admission ($20); single-game general admission ($6).
Parking: Free
Wednesday’s quarterfinal games
Game 1: No. 6 seed Seattle Pacific (16-10) v. No. 3 seed Montana State Billings (17-9) 5:15 p.m.
Game 2: No. 5 seed Northwest Nazarene (19-7) v. No. 4 seed Alaska Anchorage (17-9), 7:30 p.m.
Friday’s semifinal games
Game 3: Game 1 winner v. No. 2 seed Simon Fraser (22-4), noon
Game 4: Game 2 winner v. No. 1 seed Western Washington (23-3), 2:15 p.m.
Saturday’s championship games (televised on ROOT Sports)
Game 5: Friday’s semifinal winners, 5:15 p.m.
5 PLAYERS TO WATCH
G Sasha King, 5-6, sr., Alaska Anchorage
An ankle injury kept the Seawolves’ point guard on the bench for four games in late January, and since her return, Alaska Anchorage won seven of its next nine games to qualify for the GNAC tournament. The conference’s assist leader at 6 per game, she also can score in bunches. Had 34 points and hit nine 3s in an upset win over then No. 22-ranked Northwest Nazarene Feb. 16.
G Bobbi Knudsen, 5-8, jr., Montana State Billings
A do-it-all player for the Yellowjackets who is on pace to finish career in all-time top 5 category for both scoring and assists in
program history. Ranks second in the conference in scoring (17.9) this season, first in assists (6.1). Also is eighth in Division II in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.39). As far as stamina goes, she’s near the top, too. In high school, she was a three-time 800-meter state champion.
G Megan Hingston, 5-9, jr., Northwest Nazarene
GNAC’s leading scorer (18.9 ppg) recently became the 53rd player in conference history and the 23rd player in NNU program history to surpass 1,000 career points – with still her senior season ahead of her -- and should pass 500 points in today’s quarterfinal against Seattle Pacific. She matched her career-high of 32 points in regular-season finale win over Seattle Pacific.
F Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe, 6-2, sr., Simon Fraser
A power forward with speed and athleticism fit for a Division I player, Raincock-Ekunwe, who played on the Canadian Developmental National team in 2012, leads the nation in field goal percentage (65.1). Only player in the conference to average a double-double (16.9 ppg, 12.7 rpg) and owns multiple GNAC records, including single-game rebounding record (24). She's also approaching 1,000 rebounds and 58 career double-doubles in Simon Fraser's three GNAC seasons.
C Britt Harris, 6-2, sr., Western Washington
As consistent as the No. 7-ranked Vikings have been all season, consistent is also one way to describe Harris (14.4 ppg), who has scored in double figures in 11 of the past 12 games. She is almost untouchable around the basket, converting nearly 60 percent of her field goals, which ranks her third in the nation for all Division II players.
DID YOU KNOW?
Simon Fraser, located in Burnaby, B.C., is the only Canadian school that is an NCAA member in either Division I, Division II or Division III? After completing a two-year NCAA provisional membership process, the Clan became full-fledged members of the NCAA on Sept. 1 and are eligible for all NCAA postseason tournaments beyond the GNAC tournament. Simon Fraser's women's basketball team, which is nationally ranked, is likely to receive a West Regional berth, regardless of the outcome of the GNAC tournament.
MEN'S TOURNAMENT
When: March 7-9
Where: Marcus Pavilion, Saint Martin’s University
What’s at stake: Winner gets an automatic berth into the Division II West Regional tournament March 16-17, 19, location TBD.
Tickets at the door: Adults -- tournament reserved seating ($55), tournament general admission ($40); reserved single-game ($15); tournament general admission ($10). Seniors and students – tournament general admission ($20); single-game general admission ($6).
Parking: Free
Thursday’s quarterfinal games
Game 1: No. 6 seed Central Washington (14-12) v. No. 3 seed Alaska Anchorage (18-8), 5:15 p.m.
Game 2: No. 5 Montana State Billings (16-13) v. No. 4 seed Alaska Fairbanks (15-11), 7:30 p.m.
Friday’s semifinal games
Game 3: Game 1 winner v. No. 2 seed Seattle Pacific (23-3), 5:15 p.m.
Game 4: Game 2 winner v. No. 1 seed Western Washington (26-1), 7:30 p.m.
Saturday’s championship game (televised on ROOT Sports)
Game 5: Friday’s semifinal winners, 7:30 p.m.
5 PLAYERS TO WATCH
G John Allen, 6-1, sr., Western Washington
Not many point guards have the shooting touch like Allen does. The Vikings’ floor leader and GNAC player of the year has kept the defending national champions’ motor running all season, helping run the team’s streak to 30 consecutive victories dating back to last year’s postseason run. WWU averages a GNAC-best 85.2 points per game, led by 17.8 a game from Allen.
G Kyle Fossman, 6-0, jr., Alaska Anchorage
If the GNAC had a Most Improved Player award in its all-conference voting, Fossman likely would be a front runner. At 6 feet, he’s doesn’t have much size, but he’s shown to be a clutch player on both ends of the floor. He’s also the guy you want at the free throw line; he’s made 81 of 94 free throws this year.
G Riley Stockton, 6-4, soph., Seattle Pacific
A last name of Stockton? You know he must be talented. Stockton, whose uncle is NBA Hall of Famer John Stockton, is making a name for himself with the Falcons. The GNAC's defensive player of the year averages a 7.3 rebounds a game -- and yes, a league-best -- as a guard. He and backcourt mate David Downs combined to average 8.9 assists a game.
G Mark McLaughlin, 6-6, jr., Central Washington
The much-traveled basketball path for McLaughlin has settled in Ellensburg and the once-Division I signee has made a grand entrance in Division II. His 22.2 points per game not only leads the conference, but ranks first by almost 5 points a game. But does McLaughlin have the supporting cast for the Wildcats to make a tournament run?
F Jerrell Crayton, 6-7, sr., Montana State Billings
Big man with quick hands? That’s Crayton. Labeled as one of the top forwards in the GNAC with 16.7 points and 7.2 rebounds a game, he’s also racked up 40 steals in 27 games. Keep your eyes out for a memorable dunk show, too, from the former Boise State player.
DID YOU KNOW?
Alaska Fairbanks had one of the biggest win-loss turnarounds in all of Division II this season? In 2011-12, the Nanooks finished last in the GNAC at 2-16 and 5-23 overall. Led by point guard Pat Voeut, the Nanooks had a 10-win improvement (15-12 overall, 10-8 GNAC). The team’s biggest victory this season was a 77-73 upset win over then No. 2-ranked Western Washington on Feb. 21.
-- Meg Wochnick, staff writer
