Lady Jackets Climb to Seventh in Regional Poll (Mar. 2, 2005)

BILLINGS, MT – After a week of upsets in the NCAA West Region, the Montana State-Billings women’s basketball team inched up from eighth to seventh in the regional rankings released Wednesday.  The top eight teams in the final regional poll on Sunday will be invited to the regional tournament.  The Yellowjackets have two critical regional games this week at Western New Mexico.  They play at 5:00 on Thursday and 4:00 on Saturday.  Both games can be heard on AM 970 KBUL.  The NCAA Tournament selection show can be seen live on the web at 8:00 p.m. MST on Sunday at www.ncaasports.com.

Previously third-ranked Cal State-Dominguez Hills lost twice last week and dropped all the way to No. 5.  Cal Poly Pomona—ranked seventh last week—split two games last week, allowing the Yellowjackets to jump ahead of them for the No. 7 spot.  UC-San Diego, which upset Dominguez Hills and Bakersfield, remained at No. 10.  Ninth ranked Cal State-San Bernardino also upset Dominguez Hills, but lost to Pomona and stayed at No. 9.

The top two spots in the poll remained the same.  Seattle Pacific held onto the No.1 spot and will likely host the regional tournament.  The Falcons play two games in Alaska this weekend.  Western Washington remained at No. 2, while Cal State-Chico moved from fourth to third.

The Yellowjackets won both of their games last week, defeating Western Oregon and Rocky Mountain College on the road.  MSUB is one of three teams with 19-6 overall records.  Two road wins at Western New Mexico will most likely assure the Jackets of a tournament berth.

NCAA West Region Poll (through games of 2/27/05)
1. Seattle Pacific (23-2)
2. Western Washington (22-4)
3. Cal State-Chico (20-5)
4. St. Martin’s (19-6)
5. Cal State-Dominguez Hills (16-8)
6. Cal State-Bakersfield (19-6)
7. Montana State-Billings (19-6)
8. Cal Poly Pomona (18-7)
9. Cal State-San Bernardino (18-7)
10. UC-San Diego (16-9)