NEW ORLEANS -- Xavier University of Louisiana's women's basketball team dropped from 16th to 17th in the NAIA Division I coaches poll. XU's men missed the top 25 by eight points after ranking 21st in the preseason.Both polls, which were announced late Monday afternoon, are the first of the regular season.
The Gold Nuggets (7-3) have two victories against teams in the top 25, including a 56-51 home decision Saturday against Shorter, which climbed from 21st to 18th. The other XU victory was 79-76 on Nov. 12 at Georgetown (Ky.), which moved into the rankings at 21st. Two Xavier losses are to unbeaten teams.
The Gold Rush (5-2), ranked in every top 25 this past season, received 54 points to rank 26th. Fresno Pacific is 25th with 62 points.
Xavier's men won their first four games before losing 78-67 at Wiley on Nov. 26 and 66-59 at home to city rival Loyola this past Tuesday. The Gold Rush rebounded by winning 78-61 at home against Concordia (Ala.) on Saturday.
There will be another ranking of the men and women next Monday, followed by the third regular-season polls in early January.
Oklahoma City, Xavier's opponent Dec. 20 in the Vegas Hoopla event at Las Vegas, replaced defending champion Azusa Pacific as the No. 1 women's team.
Robert Morris (Chicago) and Concordia (Calif.) share the No. 1 men's ranking. Pikeville, the defending men's champion and preseason No. 1, dropped to 22nd. The only Gulf Coast Athletic Conference men's team in the top 25 is Tougaloo, which fell from 13th into a tie for 20th with John Brown.
The Gold Rush will play Mobile at 7 p.m. Tuesday at The Barn. The Gold Nuggets are idle until a 2 p.m. game Dec. 17 at Loyola.
By Ed Cassiere, SIDVISIT: XULAATHLETICS
Upcoming Games at The Barn
Dec. 6 (Tue.) — Men's Basketball vs. Mobile, 7 p.m.
Jan. 10 (Tue.) — Women's Basketball vs. SUNO, 5:30 p.m.
Jan. 10 (Tue.) — Men's Basketball vs. SUNO, 7:30 p.m.
Free admission for XU students with a valid XU identification card
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