LA JOLLA, Calif- The Sonoma State women's basketball team served up comeback after comeback, but in the end fell to Seattle Pacific 69-60 in the first round of the NCAA West Regionals in La Jolla.  The loss ends the Seawolves' season at 14-13 while the Falcons go into the second round at 20-8.

Despite the disappointment of an early exit from the NCAA Tournament, the Seawolves can look back on a successful year that saw them finish fourth in the CCAA despite getting picked 8th in the preseason poll.  With just two seniors leaving, the Seawolves have a solid core going into 2007-08.

Seattle Pacific led throughout the first half, but a late Sonoma rally left their lead at just four (36-32) at the break. 

It turned out to be a game of "catch me if you can" in the second half as each time the Falcons spurted ahead, they were answered with a run by the Seawolves.  The game seemed to bounce between a nine-point and three-point Falcon lead, though SSU was able to get within one once at 59-58 with just under three minutes to go.  The Seawolves were aided by a couple of big steals in successive trips down the court by Genny Anderson who led SSU with three in the game.  

SSU had a chance to go ahead, but a couple of missed shots gave SPU the opportunity to go up 61-58 when Kelsey Hill scored with 1:30 to go.  On the ensuing possession, SSU's Danae Wellander drove to the hoop, but her layup attempt was no good and the Falcons grabbed the rebound.  SPU hit their free throws down the stretch to ice the game.

Seattle Pacific, making their 11th straight NCAA Regional appearance, used that experience to lead the entire way, though the Seawolves were able to keep it interesting throughout.  Said head coach Mark Rigby, "There's something to be said for having been here before", in reference to his Seawolves first trip to the tournament since '04.  "Some of their players were playing for the national championship just 18 months ago."

Wellander led the Seawolves with 20 points.  She also had a game-high five assists and was 7-of-9 from the free throw line.  Chelsey Armacost was perfect from the field in the first half on her way to 14 points.  Genny Anderson came up with ten points and seven rebounds off the bench.

Kelsey Hill led the Falcons with 19 points and ten rebounds.

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