HSU Basketball To Open West Region Against Chico
Humboldt State men's basketball learned Sunday that it will enter the NCAA Division II West Region Championships as the No. 4 seed, matching the Lumberjacks against familiar foe and No. 5 seed Chico State in Friday's first round game in Bellingham, Wash. The pairings and seedings were announced Sunday by the NCAA.
An 89-76 win over Chico State in Saturday's California Collegiate Athletic Association championship game earned Humboldt State an automatic berth in the West Region tournament. The only CCAA representatives in this year's field of eight, Chico State and HSU will tip-off at 5:30 p.m. in the third game of the quarterfinals.
Upon returning to Arcata on Sunday evening, the Lumberjacks were welcomed back by a crowd of boosters and the Marching Lumberjacks band. Coach Steve Kinder and players briefly addressed the greeting party, thanking them for their support.
The HSU program is making its 13th appearance in the postseason, and 11th in the past 12 years. HSU has been selected seven straight years, the last two with Kinder as head coach. Among West Region schools, the Jacks' streak is equaled by only Seattle Pacific, this year's No. 3 seed.
No. 7 seed Montana State Billings, a 74-70 winner over Alaska Anchorage Saturday in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference championship game, also earned automatic advancement. Grand Canyon University, the No. 8 seed, is the automatic qualifier from the region's third conference, the Pacific West.
Along with Seattle Pacific and Chico State, at large bids went to No. 2 seed Alaska Anchorage, Dixie State and the host, No. 1 Western Washington.
NCAA Division II West Region Tournament
March 10-12, Bellingham, Wash.
Friday, March 9
Game #1 (12:30 p.m.) #3 Seattle Pacific vs. #6 Dixie State
Game #2 (2:30 p.m.) #2 Alaska Anchorage vs. #7 Montana State Billings
Game #3 (5:30 p.m.) #4 Humboldt State vs. #5 Chico State
Game #4 (7:30 p.m.) #1 Western Washington vs. #8 Grand Canyon
Saturday, March 10
Game #5 (5 p.m.) Winner of Game #1 vs. Winner of Game #2
Game #6 (7 p.m.) Winner of Game #3 vs. Winner of Game #4
Monday, March 12
Game #7 (7 p.m.) Championship Game
*HSU Sports Information
