20-Win William Penn Up to #18
William Penn University Athletics
by Wade Steinlage
Oskaloosa–Despite being tied for second in the nation in wins and sitting fourth in win percentage, the William Penn women’s basketball team only picked up one spot as the NAIA released its fourth Division I rating Tuesday.
The Statesmen (20-2, 15-2 Heart) won five of six games during the last rating period, but unfortunately a loss to Evangel two Saturdays ago limited the program’s movement to only #18 with 100 points. The ranking is still the highest for the program during its current NAIA Division I era and is the highest overall since being #16 in the NAIA Division II poll on January 31, 2011.
WPU is second in the Heart of America Athletic Conference to #6 MidAmerica Nazarene, while Central Methodist remains in the top 25 as well at #24. Benedictine, which the navy and gold defeated on the road two weeks ago, also represents the conference at #27 in the nation.
Freed-Hardeman has seven first-place votes and 218 points for #1, while Columbia (Mo.) is second. Montana Western is third with the final two first-place nods, while Campbellsville (Ky.) and The Master’s (Calif.) round out the top five.
William Penn is home Saturday for a crucial league battle, facing MidAmerica Nazarene at 2 p.m.
NAIA Division I Women’s Basketball Rating #4 – January 29, 2019
(Number in parentheses is first-place votes)
1. Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.) (7)
2. Columbia (Mo.)
3. Montana Western (2)
4. Campbellsville (Ky.)
5. The Master’s (Calif.)
6. MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.)
7. Wayland Baptist (Texas)
8. Carroll (Mont.)
8. Vanguard (Calif.)
10. Our Lady of the Lake (Texas)
10. Shawnee State (Ohio)
12. Oklahoma City
13. Talladega (Ala.)
14. Bethel (Tenn.)
14. Westmont (Calif.)
16. Menlo (Calif.)
17. Lewis-Clark State (Idaho)
18. William Penn
19. Lyon (Ark.)
20. Lindsey Wilson (Ky.)
21. Rocky Mountain (Mont.)
22. Providence (Mont.)
23. LSU Alexandria
24. Central Methodist (Mo.)
25. Arizona Christian
Others Receiving Votes: Loyola (La.) 48, Benedictine (Kan.) 33, Xavier (La.) 23, Pikeville (Ky.) 17, Mid-America Christian (Okla.) 13, William Jessup (Calif.) 3, Science & Arts (Okla.) 3, William Woods (Mo.) 3.
