Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Gold Rush 12th in NAIA; two ranked opponents are next


NEW ORLEANS — After five consecutive weeks of climbing, Xavier University of Louisiana dropped one place to 12th Tuesday in the NAIA Division I Men's Basketball Coaches' Top 25. But the Gold Rush will have significant opportunities to climb again during the closing weeks of the regular season.
   
One opportunity was later Tuesday evening at fourth-ranked William Carey, which Xavier defeated in overtime in December. Then the Gold Rush (18-6, 7-2 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference) will play a GCAC opponent, No. 24 Philander Smith, at 7:30 p.m. Monday at XU's Convocation Center.
   
Xavier is in the top 25 for the 32nd consecutive time — the longest active streak in the division — and the 45th time in the last 46 polls. Xavier is one of 10 schools in the top 25 in every poll this season.
   
The Gulf Coast Athletic Conference's other top-25 team is Talladega, which remained seventh — this time in a tie with Emmanuel (Ga.) — and is in the top 10 for the sixth consecutive poll.
   
Cal State San Marcos received 9-of-10 first-place votes and is No. 1 for the third consecutive week.

The top 25:

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


By Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAATHLETICS
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
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