Wednesday, January 8, 2014

No. 24 Gold Rush extend NAIA-best poll streak to 27

NEW ORLEANS -- Xavier University of Louisiana, which has the longest active streak of appearances in the NAIA Division I Men's Basketball Coaches' Top 25, climbed one spot to No. 24 Tuesday.

The Gold Rush (12-4) are in the top 25 for the 27th consecutive time. The streak began with the Dec. 12, 2011, poll. Xavier has been in the top 25 in 40 of the last 41 polls.

Xavier, which leads NAIA Division I in field-goal percentage defense, has won 5-of-6 games since the previous poll on Dec. 10.

Xavier is one of three from the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference in the top 25. Talladega is No. 7, and Philander Smith is No. 17. Talladega is the GCAC's first top-10 team since Xavier was 10th on Feb. 7, 2011.

Pikeville became the third No. 1 in as many polls this season. The Bears replaced Columbia (Mo.), which dropped to third.

The next rankings will be announced next Tuesday (Jan. 14).

Xavier will begin a six-game home stand with a 7:30 p.m. Saturday game against GCAC and city rival SUNO at the Convocation Center. The Gold Rush will play host to Spring Hill in a non-conference game at 7 p.m. Monday.

The top 25:

1. Pikeville
2. Southwestern Assemblies of God
3. Columbia (Mo.)
4. Cal State San Marcos
5. Concordia (Calif.)
6. Evangel
7. Talladega
8. Arizona Christian
9. William Carey
10. Rocky Mountain
11. Freed-Hardeman
12. St. Gregory's
13. Georgetown (Ky.)
14. Wiley
15. (tie) Benedictine (Kan.)
15. (tie) Montana State Northern
17. Philander Smith
18. Mid-America Christian
19. Culver-Stockton
20. Martin Methodist
21. Vanguard
22. John Brown
23. St. Catharine (Ky.)
24. Xavier
25. Faulkner

By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director

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