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Seawolves upset 'Jacks, advance in NCAA

Men's Basketball UAA Media Relations

Seawolves upset 'Jacks, advance in NCAA

ELLENSBURG, Wash. – Junior Mario Gill tallied 20 points and seven rebounds Friday as 6th-seeded Alaska Anchorage pulled a 76-70 upset of 3rd-seeded Humboldt State in the opening game of the 2011 NCAA Division II West Regional Men's Basketball Championships at Nicholson Pavilion.

The Seawolves (24-9) also got 11 points, six rebounds and two blocks from senior swingman Brandon Walker as they moved into Saturday's regional semifinals against 7th-seeded BYU-Hawaii, which knocked off 2nd-seeded Cal State-Dominguez Hills 83-76 in the second quarterfinal.

The Lumberjacks (26-4) – the regular-season California Collegiate Athletic Association champions and the 6th-ranked team in the nation – were led by 22 points, eight rebounds and three blocks from forward Randy Hunter, but UAA held HSU to 37 percent shooting, including just 4 of 26 (15 percent) from three-point range.

UAA also did a commendable defensive job against CCAA and Daktronics West Region Player-of-the-Year Brian Morris as the 6-9 center was held to 15 points on 6-of-15 shooting and just five rebounds.

“We have played a lot of quality opponents in a very tough region, so our guys are an extremely confident group,” said UAA head coach Rusty Osborne . “We have played against a succession of talented centers recently, too, so we knew we could defend against (Morris). The guys did an excellent job of sticking to our game plan and surviving to play another day.”

The Seawolves trailed only briefly after Morris scored on the game's first possession. UAA center Taylor Rohde answered with back-to-back baskets and Gill knocked down a three-pointer to give the Seawolves a lead they would never relinquish.

UAA led 34-27 at halftime and began the second half with an 8-0 run, not allowing HSU to score until the 14:45 mark. Junior guard Lonnie Ridgeway scored two of his 10 points on an alley-oop slam to make it 42-27 with 16:07 on the clock, and the Seawolves stretched to their biggest advantage, 47-29, on a pair of free throws from Casey Robinson with 13:16 left.

The Lumberjacks used a full-court press to spark a comeback attempt, but they could draw no closer than 74-70 on Morris' three-pointer with 8 seconds remaining. Walker was fouled on the ensuing inbounds play with 5.6 seconds on the clock and sank both charities to secure the victory – UAA's first NCAA win since a 55-52 decision over California (Pa.) in the 2008 national quarterfinals.

UAA got 10 points apiece from Ridgeway – who also had seven rebounds, two assists and no turnovers – and Rohde, with both players posting identical shooting numbers of 4-for-8 from the floor and 2-for-2 at the free-throw line.

Casey Robinson , playing extended minutes for the first time in two weeks due to an ankle injury, came through big time with nine points (1-1 3FG, 6-9 FT), three assists and no turnovers in 15 minutes, while senior point guard Drew Robinson had four assists and was 6 of 6 from the charity stripe.

UAA outshot from the Lumberjacks from every angle, making 45.7 percent from the floor, 41.7 percent (5-12) from beyond the arc, and 85.3 percent (29-34) on free throws.

The Seawolves' regional semifinal on Saturday will tip at 4 p.m. Alaska time and can be heard locally on FM-93.7.

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Players Mentioned

Lonnie Ridgeway

#RS Lonnie Ridgeway

G
6' 3"
Freshman
Casey Robinson

#44 Casey Robinson

F
6' 6"
Junior
Brandon Walker

#22 Brandon Walker

G
6' 3"
Sophomore
Drew Robinson

#11 Drew Robinson

G
6' 1"
Junior
Mario Gill

#2 Mario Gill

G
6' 2"
Junior
Taylor Rohde

#34 Taylor Rohde

F/C
6' 9"
Junior

Players Mentioned

Lonnie Ridgeway

#RS Lonnie Ridgeway

6' 3"
Freshman
G
Casey Robinson

#44 Casey Robinson

6' 6"
Junior
F
Brandon Walker

#22 Brandon Walker

6' 3"
Sophomore
G
Drew Robinson

#11 Drew Robinson

6' 1"
Junior
G
Mario Gill

#2 Mario Gill

6' 2"
Junior
G
Taylor Rohde

#34 Taylor Rohde

6' 9"
Junior
F/C