Clayton State women move up to fifth in USA Today/ESPN Division II Top 25 Coaches’ Poll

LILBURN, Ga. – December 13, 2011 – After holding steady at sixth for the last two weeks, the Clayton State Laker women's basketball team advanced one spot to fifth in this USA Today/ESPN Division II Top 25 Coaches' Poll, which was released on Tuesday.

Clayton State received 662 points in the new poll, 39 points behind Cal-San Diego. The Lakers recorded two victories over the weekend in Puerto Rico – 70-33 over PR-Rio Piedras on Saturday and 85-38 over PR-Bayamon on Sunday.

Clayton State is one of two Peach Belt Conference teams nationally ranked in the latest poll.  USC Aiken moved up two spots to No. 16.  In addition, conference foe Lander received votes.

The top three positions remained the same for the third straight week. Bentley retained the top spot, followed by Arkansas Tech and Metro State. Cal-San Diego moved up a spot to fourth, followed by the Lakers. The last half of the Top 10 consists of Fort Lewis, Michigan Tech, Edinboro, Wayne State and Alaska-Anchorage.

Head coach Dennis Cox's Lakers (8-1) open Peach Belt Conference play on Wednesday when they play host to in-state rival Georgia Southwestern. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m. at the Athletics and Fitness Center.