Dillard Bleu Devils crack NAIA top-25 for 1st time since 2003-04 season

KANSAS CITY, Missouri (excerpts taken from www.naia.org) — Dillard is freshly ranked in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for the first time since the 2003-04 season back on Jan. 27, 2004 (No. 18). The Bleu Devils have won four out of their last five, including an 84-74 triumph over then-No. 8 Talladega (Ala.) on Jan. 23 in the NAIA Game of the Week.

"It feels good to start accomplishing what we came here to do," said assistant coach Edward Newton. "The hard work is beginning to pay off. When you have leaders in place that support your program, it makes things that much easier."

As a team, Dillard (12-6, 4-1 GCAC) is ranked in the top 10 in NAIA in several categories:

Number two in the nation in Division 1 in offensive rebounds per game (17.27)

Number four in the nation in Division 1 in assists per game (18.22)

Number four in the nation in Division 1 in total rebounds per game (45.77)

Number seven in the nation in Division 1 in total rebound margin (9.38)

Click here  to see a full list of NAIA rankings for the Bleu Devils.

As of today, the Dillard Bleu Devils basketball team is one of two teams ranked in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference. Talladega College currently sits at number nine in the NAIA.

Dillard takes a break from GCAC action and will travel to Tyler to face Texas College on Wednesday, January 27. Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m.

For a complete listing of NAIA top-25 teams, click here.

COURTESY DILLARD UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS