BELLINGHAM, Wash. – The Northwest Nazarene women's basketball team had a dream start to the GNAC tournament championship game Saturday night.

Their finish wasn't too shabby either.

The Nighthawks (28-2 overall) defeated Alaska Anchorage 70-64 to win the program's first GNAC tournament title, holding the Seawolves scoreless over the final 3 minutes, 26 seconds and to no field goals for the final eight minutes.

NNU led by as many as 18 points in the first half before Anchorage stormed back and took the lead early in the fourth quarter.

The Nighthawks responded, though, and held on for the title.

"After we came out so well in the first half we knew that wasn't going to last forever," tournament MVP Ellie Logan said. "So just waiting for that run and knowing that mentally we had to withstand that run – and we were able to withstand it."

The win gives the Nighthawks an automatic bid to the NCAA Division II West Regional next week likely in San Diego. Anchorage will most certainly earn an at large berth. The Nighthawks will find out who they play during the tournament selection show at 8 p.m. Sunday night.

The win is the second in three tries this season for NNU against the Seawolves (28-2). The national tournament berth is the second in two seasons for the Nighthawks.

"We knew they were going to go on a run, so it was just maintaining an even keel," senior McKenna Walker said. "It was like, 'Hey guys, deep breaths.' We know we are the better team. We know we are going to finish it out and I think that really helped propel us to the win."

The Seawolves took their largest lead of the game at 62-59 with 5:17 left, but Marina Valles and Danielle Jardine made layups for a 63-62 lead. The Seawolves scored their final points of the game on a pair of free throws by Yazmeen Goo.

Logan then split a pair of free throws and after Walker forced a turnover in the press, Danielle Jardine made two free throws for a 66-64 lead.

Goo had a chance to tie, but missed both free throws and Logan grabbed the rebound. She then hit a jumper in the lane for a 68-64 lead. After the teams traded possessions, Jardine got a steal and Logan had a steal a few plays later setting up Valles to make two free throws to seal the victory.

In a game that was nearly even in every statistical category, free throws down the stretch was the difference for the Nighthawks.

"I knew if I hit at least one, it would be key for the moment," said Valles, who has had problems shooting free throws at times this season. "I just focused. I have done it so many times. My teammates told me no matter what they loved me, and I just made them."

The two teams quite easily could meet again next weekend at the regional tournament, which would be fitting for the two best teams in the West.

"It's so fun," Walker said of the win. "Everyone plays a vital role all the way down, from the bench to the coaches to the court. Everyone shares in the success of the team."

NNU held Anchorage to just 18.4 percent shooting from the field in the fourth quarter after being outscored 19-9 in the third quarter.

"Our kids made good adjustments as the game went on," NNU coach Steve Steele said. "I talked less and less in the timeouts and the kids talked more and more. I just kind of sat back and enjoyed myself watching the kids coach themselves.

"They already know what to do. We had to get back to being aggressive and I think that was the biggest thing."

The Nighthawks started the game 6-of-6 from the field, jumping out to a 7-0 lead and an 11-3 lead on 3-pointers by Valles, Avery Albrecht and Walker.

NNU was 14-of-26 from the field in the first half, including 7-of-11 from the 3-point line.

Walker had nine first-quarter points, which was just four points off of her season high for a game.

"I think I was just ready to play today," she said. "I think everybody was. You don't have to motivate yourself to play Anchorage. The lanes were given to me, so I was going to take them."

Logan had a team-high 15 points and eight rebounds, while Walker had 11 points and five rebounds. Valles finished with nine points, Albrecht and Carly Parker had seven each, Raquel Jardine had eight points and four rebounds and Danielle Jardine had five points and nine rebounds.

After the team won, the Nighthawks charged the floor and celebrated with a wild dogpile.

"I was worried when the twins jumped on me," Valles said. "That was a rough moment, but it was worth it. It was worth it."

The Nighthawks will celebrate this championship for 24 hours and then get ready for a national tournament appearance.