Honolulu, HI (February 27, 2013) - After sweeping the first three games of a difficult road trip, the Hawai'i Pacific Women's Basketball Team moved up two positions, to eighth, in the NCAA West Region poll. The top eight teams in the region receive bids to the NCAA tournament.

The marquee victory for the Sea Warriors came February 23rd when they upset 19th ranked Grand Canyon in Phoenix. The 64-63 win was the second year in a row that HPU defeated the 'Lopes on their home floor.

HPU also defeated UH-Hilo on February 19th earning a 64-63 win on the Big Island.

The last win of the road trip came a day after this week's voting took place, a 79-72 defeat of Dixie State in St. George, Utah on February 25th. The victory marked the first time the HPU women had won in St. George after losing all five of their previous opportunities.

HPU has now won four games in a row and clinched a first round bye in the inaugural PacWest Tournament as they are guaranteed to finish no worse than the second seed. The Sea Warriors remain a half game behind Grand Canyon who currently holds the number one seed. HPU would win the tie-breaker if it finished the season tied with GCU.

The HPU women close out the regular season on the road against cross-town rival Chaminade on Saturday; tip-off off is scheduled for 5:00 PM at McCabe Gym.

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