Clayton State climbs to 3rd in NCAA Division II national poll
MORROW, GA – After picking up three wins in the last six days, including a pivotal victory over Peach Belt Conference and nationally-ranked USC Aiken, the Clayton State women's basketball team climbed one spot to 3rd in the latest edition of the USA Today Sports/ESPN NCAA Division II Top 25 Coaches Poll.
The Lakers won the showdown last Wednesday in Aiken, SC, between the two then undefeated teams 56-50. Clayton State also maintained its perfect record, defeating UNC Pembroke 67-46 on Saturday, followed by beating Francis Marion 80-66 on Monday. The 3rd-ranked Lakers are 16-0 overall and 9-0 in Peach Belt play.
Clayton State received 738 total points in the poll, which is conducted by 33 NCAA Division II coaches. Ashland University remains the nation's top-ranked team with a 19-0 record and 800 points, followed by Bentley with a 15-0 mark and 765 points.
After falling to the Lakers last week and then to North Georgia on Monday, USC Aiken (13-2) dropped to No. 6 in the country.
The Lakers are currently enjoying the top winning percentage of any NCAA Division II program over the last three seasons with an 80-5 record (.941). Clayton State's patented defense has once again been a key in the team's success, as the squad ranks fourth in the country in fewest points allowed and fourth in field goal percentage defense.
Clayton State will return to action on Thursday, hosting Young Harris in Peach Belt Conference action. Tip off for the game is 5:30 p.m. at the Athletics & Fitness Center.
USA TODAY Sports DIVISION II TOP 25 COACHES' POLL
January 22, 2013
USA TODAY Sports Division II Top 25 women's basketball poll, with first-place votes to the right, total points based on 25 points for first place through one point for 25th.
|
Rank |
Institution - First Place Votes |
Previous Rank |
Record |
Total Points |
|
1 |
Ashland University (Ohio) -32 |
1 |
19-0 |
800 |
|
2 |
Bentley University (Mass.) |
2 |
15-0 |
765 |
|
3 |
Clayton State University (Ga.) |
4 |
16-0 |
738 |
|
4 |
Colorado Mesa University |
7 |
15-0 |
674 |
|
5 |
Western Washington University |
8 |
13-2 |
627 |
|
6 |
University of South Carolina - Aiken |
3 |
13-2 |
593 |
|
7 |
Simon Fraser University (BC) |
10 |
13-2 |
569 |
|
8 |
Augustana College (S.D.) |
12 |
14-2 |
560 |
|
9 |
California State University - Chico |
13 |
13-1 |
536 |
|
10 |
Gannon University (Pa.) |
6 |
16-2 |
521 |
|
11 |
Holy Family University (Pa.) |
14 |
15-2 |
438 |
|
12 |
Shaw University (N.C.) |
16 |
15-2 |
365 |
|
13 |
Stonehill College (Mass.) |
17 |
14-1 |
357 |
|
14 |
Washburn University (Kan.) |
9 |
11-3 |
352 |
|
15 |
University of Indianapolis (Ind.) |
5 |
12-3 |
349 |
|
16 |
University of Central Missouri |
11 |
13-2 |
343 |
|
17 |
Grand Canyon University (Ariz.) |
18 |
16-4 |
260 |
|
18 |
Pittsburg State University (Kan.) |
24 |
12-4 |
179 |
|
19 |
Indiana University of Pennsylvania |
23 |
13-4 |
168 |
|
20 |
Nova Southeastern University (Fla.) |
NR |
12-3 |
156 |
|
21 |
Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania |
25 |
12-3 |
134 |
|
22 |
Limestone College (S.C.) |
NR |
12-2 |
116 |
|
23 |
University of Southern Indiana |
NR |
13-2 |
106 |
|
24 |
Dowling College (N.Y.) |
NR |
13-2 |
90 |
|
25 |
University of Tampa (Fla.) |
15 |
11-3 |
87 |
Dropped Out: Fort Hays State University (Kan.); Wayne State College (Neb.); Rollins College (Fla.); Minnesota State University - Mankato.
Others Receiving Votes: Glenville State College (W.Va.) 68; New York Institute of Technology 56; Edinboro University (Pa.) 54; Fort Hays State University (Kan.) 53; Wayne State College (Neb.) 36; Lenoir-Rhyne University (N.C.) 33; Augusta State University (Ga.) 30; Truman State University (Mo.) 27; Saint Mary's University (Texas) 26; Rollins College (Fla.) 22; Fayetteville State University (N.C.) 21; Assumption College (Mass.) 20; Minnesota State University - Mankato 19; University of Wisconsin - Parkside 12; Northwest Nazarene University (Idaho) 7; Concordia University (Minn.) 6; Ouachita Baptist University (Ark.) 6; East Central University (Okla.) 4; Anderson University (S.C.) 3; Lewis University (Ill.) 3; Newberry College (S.C.) 2; Northeastern State University (Okla.) 2; Pfeiffer University (N.C.) 2; Winona State University (Minn.) 2; Lynn University (Fla.) 1; Tarleton State University (Texas) 1.
