Lady Jackets Jump Five Spots in Poll (2/1/07)

BILLINGS, MT – The Montana State-Billings women’s basketball team climbed from No. 10 to No. 5 in the NCAA South Central Region poll this week.  The NCAA regional polls help determine the participants in the NCAA Division II Tournament.  Including conference automatic qualifiers, the top eight teams in each of the NCAA’s eight regions are invited to the Big Dance.

The Yellowjackets went 3-0 against South Central Region teams last week, defeating St. Mary’s University on Wednesday and taking two games from University of the Incarnate Word over the weekend.  MSUB is 17-4 overall and 12-4 against NCAA Division II teams.  Only games against NCAA II competition are considered for tournament selection.

The Yellowjackets play at Lincoln University (MO) on Friday and Saturday.  Friday’s game is a conference counter, and Saturday’s is a non-conference game.  MSUB is currently in first place in the Heartland Conference at 5-1.  The champion of the Heartland’s end of the season tournament March 2 and 3 in Denton, TX, receives an automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament.

NCAA II South Central Region Poll (DII Record/Regional Record)

1. Missouri Western State (18-0/15-0)

2. Washburn (15-2/12-2)

3. West Texas A&M (17-3/12-1)

4. Emporia State (11-4/9-2)

5. Montana State-Billings (12-4/10-3)

6. Texas A&M-Commerce (11-5/9-4)

7. Northeastern State (11-6/10-6)

8. Angelo State (11-7/11-5)

9. Southeastern Oklahoma State (13-5/11-5)

10. Northwest Missouri State (9-7/7-5)