WPU Wins Three, Improves One in Latest Poll
William Penn University Athletics
by Wade Steinlage
Oskaloosa–Even if the raters will not recognize its success, the Statesmen women’s basketball team is channeling its inner Al Davis and ‘Just Winning Baby’ as the NAIA released its third Division I rating Tuesday.
William Penn (16-1, 11-1 Heart), which is tied for the Heart of America Athletic Conference lead, rose one position to #19 with 94 points. The squad’s current .941 winning percentage (after Monday’s win over (RV) Benedictine) is second nationally to only #1 Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.) (1.000, 17-0).
The navy and gold are second in the league to #4 MidAmerica Nazarene, while Central Methodist is also ranked at #23. Benedictine represents the conference as well at #29 in the nation.
Freed-Hardeman has all nine first-place votes and 219 points for #1, while Columbia (Mo.) is second. Montana Western is third and Wayland Baptist (Texas) is fifth.
William Penn is home Wednesday, hosting Culver-Stockton in Heart action at 5:30 p.m.
NAIA Division I Women’s Basketball Rating #3 – January 15, 2019
(Number in parentheses is first-place votes)
1. Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.) (9)
2. Columbia (Mo.)
3. Montana Western
4. MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.)
5. Wayland Baptist (Texas)
6. Campbellsville (Ky.)
7. Shawnee State (Ohio)
8. Carroll (Mont.)
9. Vanguard (Calif.)
10. The Master’s (Calif.)
11. Our Lady of the Lake (Texas)
12. Oklahoma City
13. Menlo (Calif.)
14. Westmont (Calif.)
15. Talladega (Ala.)
16. Bethel (Tenn.)
17. Rocky Mountain (Mont.)
18. Lewis-Clark State (Idaho)
19. William Penn
20. Providence (Mont.)
21. Lindsey Wilson (Ky.)
22. Lyon (Ark.)
23. Central Methodist (Mo.)
24. Arizona Christian
25. LSU Alexandria
Others Receiving Votes: Loyola (La.) 31, William Jessup (Calif.) 30, Martin Methodist (Tenn.) 27, Benedictine (Kan.) 15, John Brown (Ark.) 14, Huston-Tillotson (Texas) 10, William Woods (Mo.) 5, Pikeville (Ky.) 5.
