Monday, March 1, 1999
Tough opener for HPU
The Sea Warriors meet Seattle Pacific
Star-Bulletin staff
in NCAA Division II West
Regional basketballThe postseason fortunes of the Hawaii Pacific basketball team will be determined on the road.
The Sea Warriors yesterday were awarded an at-large berth into the NCAA Division II West Regional to be played at Ellensburgh, Wash., Thursday through Saturday. The host is Central Washington, the team that defeated HPU, 76-56, Saturday at Mid-Pacific Gym in the Pacific West Conference tournament championship game.
The third-seeded Sea Warriors (22-7) open against Seattle Pacific (21-7) on Thursday (3:30 p.m. HST). Last Friday, HPU outlasted Seattle Pacific, 87-83 in overtime, in the PacWest semifinal.
"We're a good traveling team (6-1)," said HPU coach Tony Sellitto. "Our concern is if it's enough time for Willie (Flowers) to come back."
Flowers, the Sea Warriors' second-leading scorer (15.1 ppg), severely sprained his ankle blocking a shot against Seattle Pacific last week. The senior guard did not play in Saturday's loss to Central Washington.
HPU's one road loss was at Central Washington on Jan. 21 in league play.
"Their gym is very similar to Mid-Pac's," said Sellitto. "We hope to be cutting down the nets in their gym on Saturday."
Should HPU win Thursday's game, the Sea Warriors would face UC Davis, the defending Division II champion, on Friday (3:30 p.m. HST). The championship game is scheduled for 3 p.m. HST Saturday. HPU's games will be broadcast live on KUMU2-1500.
