The Gold Rush (18-6 overall, 7-1 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference) climbed for the fourth consecutive week. Sustained success has fueled Xavier's ascent; the Gold Rush's seven consecutive victories are tied for the second-longest current win streak in NAIA DI.
The Gold Rush are in the top 25 for the 44th consecutive time. That's the longest active streak among NAIA DI men's teams. Xavier appeared in 57 of the last 58 top-25s.
The NAIA DI team with the longest active win streak is Talladega, winner of 15 in a row and a half-game ahead of Xavier in the GCAC standings. The Tornadoes moved from fourth to third nationally and became the GCAC's first top-3 team since LSU-Shreveport was second on Feb. 20, 2008.
Xavier and Talladega will meet at 7:30 p.m. Monday at XU's Convocation Center. It will be Xavier's fifth game of the season against a top-10 opponent. Talladega will be the highest-ranked opponent to play the Gold Rush at Xavier since No. 3 LSUS on Feb. 14, 2008.
Talladega was the last team to defeat Xavier — 93-78 on Jan. 5 at Talladega, Ala., when the Tornadoes were ranked sixth and the Gold Rush were 22nd.
Xavier's next game will start at 7:30 p.m. Thursday against GCAC opponent Voorhees at the Convocation Center.
GCAC member Philander Smith, 24th last week, fell out of the top 25 after being ranked in the first six polls of the season. Cal State San Marcos is No. 1 for the second consecutive week after receiving 7-of-10 first-place votes.
Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director XULAATHLETICS XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA https://twitter.com/xulagold https://www.facebook.com/ |
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