Statesmen Down Two to #16
William Penn University Athletics
by Wade Steinlage
Oskaloosa–The William Penn men’s basketball team was up-and-down the last two weeks, falling two more positions as the NAIA released its fifth Division I rating Tuesday.
The Statesmen (18-6, 12-6 Heart) slipped to #16 with 107 points. Despite the drop, the program was still able to extend its incredible streak to 35 straight polls inside the top 20, dating back to December 2015.
WPU is now one of three Heart of America Athletic Conference teams in the rating. Benedictine has improved to #2 with 212 points and one first-place vote, while Peru State is 14th.
LSU Alexandria continues to be first in the NAIA with 219 points and the other eight first-place votes, while Missouri Baptist, Georgetown (Ky.), and Stillman (Ala.) round out the top five.
William Penn travels to Fayette, Mo. Wednesday to face Central Methodist in Heart action at 7:30 p.m.
NAIA Division I Men’s Basketball Rating #5 – February 12, 2019
(Number in parentheses is first-place votes)
1. LSU Alexandria (8)
2. Benedictine (Kan.) (1)
3. Missouri Baptist
4. Georgetown (Ky.)
5. Stillman (Ala.)
6. Vanguard (Calif.)
7. Carroll (Mont.)
8. Tougaloo (Miss.)
9. Wayland Baptist (Texas)
10. The Master’s (Calif.)
11. Pikeville (Ky.)
12. Wiley (Texas)
13. Lewis-Clark State (Idaho)
14. Peru State (Neb.)
15. William Carey (Miss.)
16. William Penn
17. William Jessup (Calif.)
18. Oklahoma City
19. Bethel (Tenn.)
20. LSU Shreveport
21. Cumberlands (Ky.)
22. Providence (Mont.)
23. John Brown (Ark.)
24. Arizona Christian
25. Dillard (La.)
Others Receiving Votes: Campbellsville (Ky.) 44, St. Thomas (Texas) 32, Science & Arts (Okla.) 27, Hope International (Calif.) 23, Talladega (Ala.) 17, Langston (Okla.) 13, Westmont (Calif.) 7, Loyola (La.) 3.
