NAIA National Basketball Ratings Released

Women move up ten slots in the rankings; Men crack the top 25

12-7-05

Lewiston, ID-  Following a vigorous 4 game road swing, which included two victories against ranked NAIA teams, the Lewis-Clark State College women’s basketball team found themselves moving up ten slots in the latest NAIA polls.   

The preseason ratings originally released October 26 had L-C receiving votes, coming in overall at #26.  The NAIA announced Wednesday morning that L-C is now considered the 16^th best team in the nation.  “Were happy about moving up 10 spots and gaining an additional 103 points” stated Warrior women’s head basketball coach Brian Orr.  “What’s even more exciting is the fact that we have yet to tap into the full potential of our team.  This is a group that will continue to get better and better as the season progresses.” 

Included in the news of L-C’s drastic jump were the overall rankings of the Frontier Conference.  Conference foes Carroll College (4) and UM-Western (8) both cracked the top ten, setting the tone for what will become a battle for the Conference championship.  “It’s good to see the Conference receiving this type of recognition.  It makes every Conference game that much more important to win.” stated Orr.  L-C currently stands at 7-2 overall, with the two losses coming at the hands of nationally ranked NCAA Division II teams.  The women are back at home this weekend, as they host Warner Pacific Friday and Saturday night.  Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. both evening’s inside the Activity Center.     

On the men’s side, L-C was recognized as a top 25 team, coming in overall at #23.  Currently at 9-1 on the year, the Warriors only defeat has come on the road to the hands of NCAA Division II Humboldt State University by a score of 60-53.

Like the women, the Frontier Conference is seeing strong representation in the men’s top 25, where Carroll College is currently ranked 7^th and Westminster College 14^th.  Head men’s Warrior basketball coach Tim Walker had this to say “ Having three teams from the Frontier Conference in the top 25 shows the respect were gaining from the raters across the nation.” 

The Warriors travel to Salem, OR this weekend to take on Western Oregon Friday night, followed by Corban College on Saturday evening.  “If we play well this weekend, it could provide an opportunity to advance even higher in the polls than where we currently stand.” stated Coach Walker. 

The next poll for both programs is set to be released December 14, 2005.