Statesmen Back in Top 25
Oskaloosa–The William Penn women’s basketball team’s recent hot play gave it a big jump in the rankings as the NAIA released its fourth Division I top-25 poll Wednesday.
WPU (15-4, 11-3 Heart) gained seven spots to #20 with 86 points; it is the first time the navy and gold have been in the top 25 since the preseason poll.
The Statesmen, winners of five in a row and 11 of their last 12, are one of four Heart of America Athletic Conference programs in the top 25. Central Methodist tops the quartet at #9, while Clarke is #19 and MidAmerica Nazarene is #23. Grand View is just outside the top 25 as well at #27 unofficially.
The NAIA’s only undefeated team, Oklahoma City, is the new #1 with 219 points and all nine first-place votes. Campbellsville (Ky.), The Master’s (Calif.), Westmont (Calif.), and Wayland Baptist (Texas) round out the top five.
The Statesmen returns to Oskaloosa Thursday to host Clarke in Heart action at 5:30 p.m.
NAIA Division I Women’s Basketball Rating #4 – January 29, 2020
(Number in parentheses is first-place votes)
1. Oklahoma City (9)
2. Campbellsville (Ky.)
3. The Master’s (Calif.)
4. Westmont (Calif.)
5. Wayland Baptist (Texas)
6. Vanguard (Calif.)
7. Shawnee State (Ohio)
8. Bethel (Tenn.)
9. Central Methodist (Mo.)
10. Talladega (Ala.)
11. Lyon (Ark.)
12. Loyola (La.)
13. Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.)
14. Lindsey Wilson (Ky.)
15. Columbia (Mo.)
16. Our Lady of the Lake (Texas)
17. Carroll (Mont.)
18. Montana State-Northern
19. Clarke
20. William Penn
21. Lewis-Clark State (Idaho)
22. Montana Western
23. MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.)
24. Rocky Mountain (Mont.)
25. Martin Methodist (Tenn.)
Others Receiving Votes: Rust (Miss.) 37, Grand View (Iowa) 25, LSU Alexandria (La.) 25, Thomas More (Ky.) 23, LSU Shreveport (La.) 21, Philander Smith (Ark.) 16, Cumberlands (Ky.) 13, Pikeville (Ky.) 7, Mid-America Christian (Okla.) 6, Providence (Mont.) 6, Edward Waters (Fla.) 4, William Woods (Mo.) 3.
