Embry-Riddle and Antelope Valley battled for the number one seed in next week's Cal Pac Tournament and the Eagles fell just short in Lancaster on Saturday afternoon 69-59. 

Aryana Gonzales (San Luis Obispo, Calif.) started the game with a three point basket but the Pioneers followed with a three of their own in a back and forth first quarter.  After UAV took a 5-3 lead, Zakiirah King (Chandler, Ariz.) made a jump shot to tie the score at 5-5.  The Pioneers led again 10-7, but two free throws by Mehgan Strickler (Chandler, Ariz.) made it a one point game with just under five minutes left in the first quarter.   Gonzales made another three with 2:49 to go to tie up the score at 14-14 and gave ERAU the lead back on her third three point basket of the quarter to make the score 17-14.

Just like the first quarter, the teams went back and forth in the second quarter.  UAV started the quarter with a jump shot to pull within a point but Hannah Urbano (Kailua, Hawaii) followed with a jump shot of her own to make the score 19-16.  With five minutes to go until halftime, the teams were tied 24-24.  ERAU scored the next four points, but once again the Pioneers were able to tie the score at 29-29.  Liz Behan (St. Peters, Mo.) scored the last three points of the quarter and ERAU led 35-31 at the half.

Embry-Riddle struggled in the third quarter as they were outscored by Antelope Valley 21-9 and the Pioneers held their largest lead of the game as we headed into the final ten minutes of play.

The last quarter was extremely fast paced and after UAV scored the first two points of the quarter, ERAU went on a 6-0 run to get back within five and make the score 55-50 with 7:40 left in the game.  After the Pioneers made back to back layups to extend their lead back out, King made a jump shot to cut the Pioneer lead back to seven with 3:16 to go in the game.  Antelope Valley led by 9 with just 3:30 to go after a made three point basket, but once again King cut into the lead with a layup and a free throw.  ERAU had to foul at the end to get the ball back, but unfortunately it was not enough as the Pioneers won 69-59. 

Gonzales led the way with 16 points and King added in 12.  Strickler led the team in rebounds with 15. 

Embry-Riddle will head to UC Merced next week for the Cal Pac Conference Tournament and will wait to see what seed the Eagles will be and who their opponent will be.