Wasilla grad helps UAA women move into Division II national title game

WASILLA — During her illustrious career at Wasilla High School, Alysha Devine helped lead the Warriors to three straight 4A girls’ state basketball titles. Now a standout at the next level, Devine has the chance to help her squad win a college national championship.

Devine scored a dozen points to help the UAA Seawolves move into the NCAA Division II Women’s national championship game with a 67-47 win over Grand Valley State in the Division II national semifinals Wednesday evening in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Devine, a 6-foot junior forward, shot 5 of 7 from the floor, and hit both of her three-point attempts. She added six rebounds in the win, which moves the Seawolves into the DII national title game for the first time in program history.

The fourth-ranked Seawolves will face top-ranked and undefeated Lubbock Christian in the final April 4 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The win continues a marvelous run for the 38-2 Seawolves. UAA posted a pair of double-digit wins during the West Region tournament, including a 72-57 victory over UC San Diego in the West Region final. UAA blasted Francis Marion 74-55 in the round of eight to advance to the Final Four, where UAA beat Grand Valley State by 20 points.

UAA’s run has included a stellar stretch for Devine, who was named the most valuable player of the West Region tournament.

“I can say this is more than I ever imagined when I first signed with UAA,” Devine said late last week. “I knew it would be a great experience, but I had no idea it’d be anything like this.”

Devine collected 14 points and eight rebounds during the win over UC San Diego.

Devine has started 33 of the 36 games she’s played in this season.

UAA’s trip to Sioux Falls created a homecoming for her family. The Devine family, which now calls Wasilla home, is from South Dakota. Devine still has a number of relatives living in the area, including her older brother, Connor, who is a junior at nearby South Dakota State and member of the Jackrabbits men’s basketball team. South Dakota State advanced to the NCAA Division I men’s tournament this year.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.