Lady Jackets Fall in Regional Poll (2/8/06)

BILLINGS, MT – Despite winning two games over the weekend—and extending their season winning streak to 14 games—the Montana State-Billings women’s basketball team experienced a freefall in this week’s NCAA South Central Region poll.  The Yellowjackets fell from No. 6 to No. 10 after vaulting from unranked to No. 6 just a week ago.

Washburn, the top-ranked team in the nation, continues to sit atop the regional rankings followed by Emporia State, West Texas A&M and Northeastern State.  The top eight spots in this week’s poll are rounded out by Missouri Western State, Cameron, Angelo State, and Texas A&M-Commerce.  The top eight teams in the final regional poll of the year receive invitations to the NCAA Tournament.  The league champions of the Heartland Conference, Lone Star Conference, and Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association will receive automatic berths in the tourney.

The Yellowjackets, 15-4 overall and 11-3 in the region, have two important games this weekend in Austin, Tex., against St. Edward’s University.  The Jackets and Hilltoppers will meet in a critical conference match up on Friday.  They will play a non-conference regional game on Saturday.  Both games start at 5:00 p.m. MST and will be aired on AM 970 in Billings and on the web at www.msubillings.edu/athletics.

NCAA South Central Region Poll, through games of 2/5/06
(Overall DII Record, In-Region Record)

1. Washburn (19-0, 16-0); 2. Emporia State (17-1, 13-1); 3. West Texas A&M (17-3, 14-3); 4. Northeastern State (14-6, 12-6); 5. Missouri Western State (10-7, 7-7); 6. Cameron (12-9, 12-9); 7. Angelo State (16-5, 15-5); 8. Texas A&M-Commerce (10-6, 10-6); 9. Tarleton State (114-6, 12-6); 10. Montana State-Billings (15-4, 11-3).