Tuesday, December 4, 2012

PORTLAND, Ore. - Coming off two wins in Alaska, Seattle Pacific climbed five positions and is now ranked eighth in the latest NABC Division II men's national basketball poll.

The Falcons are among three West Region teams, including two GNAC squads, ranked in the Top 10 this week.

Western Washington (6-0), which has won 12 straight over two seasons, maintained its No. 6 ranking in this week's poll, while Cal Poly Pomona, which also climbed five positions this week, is ranked ninth.

Alaska Anchorage was ranked 25th last week, but slipped to 28th overall after losing to Seattle Pacific.

Mark McLaughlin of Central Washington is the highest ranked GNAC player in this week's national statistical report.  He ranks sixth in scoring, averaging 25.6 points per game.  Jonathan Hawkins of Northwest Nazarene is the only other GNAC player in the Top 10.  He ranks 10th in free throw percentage (95.7).

In team categories,  Western Washington ranks fourth in rebouding margin (12.0), fifth in field goal percentage (52.9) and ninth in scoring (89.7). Central Washington ranks fourth in scoring (95.0). 

NATIONAL STATISTICS (Through Dec. 2): Team (Top 30): Scoring – 4. Central Washington 95.0; 9. Western Washington 89.7.  Scoring Defense – 21. Seattle Pacific 58.9.  Scoring Margin – 16. Western Washington 18.8; 28. Seattle Pacific 15.1.  Field Goal PCT. – 5. Western Washington 52.9; 23. Seattle Pacific 50.1; 30. Simon Fraser 49.4. Three-Point Field Goals – 22. Seattle Pacific 9.0; 30. Alaska Anchorage 8.9.  Three-Point Percentage – 13. Seattle Pacific 44.2; 15. Western Washington 43.7; 23. Saint Martin’s 42.3.  Three-Point Field Goal Defense – 24. Western Oregon 27.8.  Free Throw PCT. – 28. Central Washington 75.9.  Rebound Margin – 4. Western Washington 12.0; 12. Seattle Pacific 11.3.  Assists – 15. Alaska Anchorage 18.9; 17. Seattle Pacific 18.6. Assist Turnover Ratio – 21. Seattle Pacific 1.39; 28. Alaska Anchorage 1.32.  Blocked Shots – 26. Alaska Anchorage 4.6.  Turnover Margin – 17. MSU Billings 5.9.  Fewst Fouls – 28. Saint Martin’s 15.7; 29. Simon Fraser 15.8. Individuals (Top 30): Scoring – 6. Mark McLaughlin, CWU, 25.6; 22. Andy Avgi, WOU, 21.8.  Field Goal PCT. – 22. Andy Avgi, WOU, 65.0; 26. Paul Jones, WWU, 64.3.  Three-Point Field Goals – 27. Elijah Matthews, SFU, 3.20.  Three-Point PCT. – 17. Elijah Matthews, SFU, 53.3; 19. Kyle Fossman, UAA, 52.2.  Free Throw PCT. – 10. Jonathan Hawkins, NNU, 95.7.  Steals – 20. Devon Alexander, WOU, and Matt Raivio, SFU, 3.0.  Assist/Turnover Ratio – 18. Brady Bomber, SMU, 3.67; 25. Kalob Hatcher, MSUB, 3.17; 26. Riley Stockton, SPU, 3.11.