Tuesday, February 12, 2013

PORTLAND, Ore. - Western Washington maintained its No. 2 ranking in this week's NABC NCAA Division II poll announced Tuesday while Seattle Pacific climbed to No. 5.

Metro State, Colo. (21-0) stayed at No. 1 earning 13 of 16 first-place votes from the panel of Division II coaches.  The Vikings (22-0), who host Saint Martin's Thursday and Western Oregon Saturday, received the other three first-place votes. WWU will take a 28-game win streak and a 21-game home win streak into those contests.

Two other West Region teams are ranked.  Cal Poly Pomona (19-1) is ranked fourth, while Dixie State (16-4) is ranked 19th.

The Vikings (22-0, 13-0) are among the NCAA Division II Top 10 leaders in four categories.  They rank third in three-point percentage defense (28.0), fifth in scoring margin (18.8), seventh in scoring (87.1) and eighth in field goal percentage (50.2).

Seattle Pacific (17-3, 10-2) is ranked in the Top 10 in five categories - third in assist/turnovers (1.51), sixth in scoring margin (14.6) and rebounding (10.4), eighth in three-point percentage (41.8) and 10th in assists (18.3).

Alaska Anchorage (15-6, 8-5), which is currently tied for third in the GNAC standings with Alaska Fairbanks (13-8, 8-5), ranks seventh in three-pointers made (9.7) and assists (18.6) and ninth in assist/turnover ratio (1.38). 

Fifth-place Central Washington (13-8, 7-6) ranks eighth in scoring (86.4), while Saint Martin's is fourth nationally in fewest turnovers allowed (10.3).

CWU's Mark McLaughlin is one of four GNAC players ranked in the Top 10 in an individual category.  McLaughlin ranks seventh in scoring (23.5).  Jobi Wall of Seattle Pacific is third in three-point percentage (47.2).  Jonathan Hawkins of Northwest Nazarene is second in free throw percentage (93.2) and Kalob Hatcher is fourth in assist/turnover ratio (3.06).

SEEKING PERFECTION: Both Metro State and Western Washington are seeking to become the fourth team in NCAA Division II history to finish a season unbeaten.  Cal State Bakersfield posted a perfect 33-0 record in 1993.  Three years later Fort Hays State finished 34-0.  Findlay (Ohio) went 36-0 in 2009.

NATIONAL STATISTICS (Through Feb. 10): Team (Top 30): Scoring –7. Western Washington 87.1; 8. Central Washington 86.4.  Scoring Defense – 22. Seattle Pacific 62.0.  Scoring Margin – 5. Western Washington 18.8; 6. Seattle Pacific 14.6.  Field Goal PCT. – 8. Western Washington 50.2; 29. Seattle Pacific 48.6. Three-Point Field Goals – 7. Alaska Anchorage 9.7; 22. Seattle Pacific 8.7.  Three-Point Percentage – 8. Seattle Pacific 41.8; 13. Alaska Anchorage 40.8; 17. Western Washington 40.0.  Three-Point Field Goal Defense – 3. Western Washington 28.0. Rebound Margin – 6. Seattle Pacific 10.4;  11. Western Washington 8.5. Assists – 7. Alaska Anchorage 18.6; 10. Seattle Pacific 18.3; 21. Alaska Fairbanks 16.6. Assist/Turnover Ratio – 3. Seattle Pacific 1.51; 9. Alaska Anchorage 1.38. Blocks – 13. Western Washington 5.1; 23. Northwest Nazarene 4.5. Fewest Turnovers – 4. Saint Martin’s 10.3; 28. Seattle Pacific 12.1. Individuals (Top 30): Scoring – 7. Mark McLaughlin, CWU, 23.5.  Three-Point Field Goals – 21. Jobi Wall, SPU, 2.95; 29. Kyle Fossman, UAA, 2.81.  Three-Point PCT. – 3. Jobi Wall, SPU, 47.2; 11. Kyle Fossman, UAA, 44.7.  Free Throw PCT. – 2. Jonathan Hawkins, NNU, 93.2; 27. Kyle Fossman, UAA, 86.9.  Assists – 19. David Downs, SPU, 5.7. Steals – 24. Devon Alexander, WOU, 2.40.   Assist/Turnover Ratio -  4. Kalob Hatcher, MSUB, 3.06; 11. Jordan Starr, CWU, 2.67; 15. Brady Bomber, SMU, 2.59; 18. Riley Stockton, SPU, 2.53; 26. Jalen Little, UAA, 2.39.