Tuesday, January 29, 2013

PORTLAND, Ore. - Western Washington maintained its No. 5 ranking, but Simon Fraser slipped six slots to No. 13 in this week's USA Today Sports WBCA Division II Top 25 poll.

The Vikings (15-2, 9-0) ran their win streak to nine with tough road victories at Central Washington (79-73) and Northwest Nazarene (70-66).  The Clan split with those two schools, losing at Northwest Nazarene (60-59) before defeating CWU (66-58).

NNU's split earned it some extra points in the poll.  The Crusaders, who had won nine in a row before falling to the Vikings, are still among "others receiving votes" but climbed from 40th overall to 28th.  Montana State Billings (48th overall) also received votes.

WWU and SFU are among four West Region teams ranked.  Chico State is ranked 12th and Grand Canyon is ranked 14th.

Chico is one of two teams to beat Western Washington; Simon Fraser's three losses have been to No. 4 Colorado Mesa (17-0), the fifth-ranked Vikings and to Northwest Nazarene.

The Clan are also ranked in the Top 10 in three statistical categories - third in field goal percentage (46.9) and assists (18.6) and eighth in scoring margin (18.3).  WWU is ranked eighth in assists (17.9) and 10th in turnover/assist ratio (1.13).

Montana State Billings is third in fewest turnovers (11.7) and turnover/assists (1.23) and fifth in turnover (7.21).  Seattle Pacific is the national leader in free throw percentge (80.4) and eighth in three-point percentage (37.8).  Central Washington and Alaska Anchorage rank seventh (8.6) and 10th (8.3) in three-pointers made.

In individual categories, Mariah Durian of Western Oregon is the national leader in free throw percentage (94.6).  Chelsea Luke of Northwest Nazarene ranks third (91.7) and Suzanna Ohlsen of Seattle Pacific ranks fifth (90.4).

Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe ranks first nationally in field goal percentage (66.5), fourth in rebounding (12.6) and sixth in double-doubles (11).  Including her freshman season before Simon Fraser joined the GNAC, she needs only 26 more rebounds to reach the career 1,000-rebound milestone.

The GNAC has two of the top three assist producers - Sasha King of UAA ranks second (6.4) just ahead of No. 3 Bobbi Knudsen of MSUB (6.2).  Knudsen also ranks third in assist/turnover ratio (2.55).  Britt Harris of Western Washington is eighth in field goal percentage (57.8). 

NATIONAL STATISTICS (Through Jan. 27):  Team (Top 30): Scoring Offense – 25. Simon Fraser 73.1; 28. Northwest Nazarene 72.6. Scoring Defense – 20. Simon Fraser 54.8.  Scoring Margin – 8. Simon Fraser 18.3.  Field Goal PCT. – 3. Simon Fraser 46.9; 15. Western Washington 44.0.  Free Throw PCT. – 1. Seattle Pacific 80.4; 20. Northwest Nazarene 75.1; 29. Alaska Anchorage 74.5.  Rebound Margin – 12. Seattle Pacific 9.1; 19. Northwest Nazarene 8.3. Three-Point FGs – 7. Central Washington 8.6; 10. Alaska Anchorage 8.3; 13. Simon Fraser 8.1.  Three-Point PCT. – 8. Seattle Pacific 37.8; 20. Simon Fraser 36.1; 26. Central Washington 35.4.  Assists – 3.  Simon Fraser 18.6; 8. Western Washington 17.9.  Blocked Shots – 30. Simon Fraser 4.5. Fewest Turnovers – 3. Montana State Billings 11.7; 28. Alaska Anchorage 15.1.  Fewest Fouls – 17. Montana State Billings 13.5.  Assist Turnover Ratio – 3.   MSU Billings 1.23; 10. Western Washington 1.13; 14. Simon Fraser 1.10; 23. Alaska Anchorage 1.04.  Turnover Margin  - 5.  Montana State Billings 7.21; 30. Alaska Anchorage 4.76. Individuals (Top 30):   Scoring – 29. Megan Hingston, NNU, 18.3. Rebounds – 4. Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe, SFU, 12.6.  Assists – 2. Sasha King, UAA, 6.4; 3. Bobbi Knudsen, MSUB, 6.3; 19. Kristina Collins, SFU, 5.1; 21. Ally Schmitt, CWU, 5.1   Blocked Shots – 18. Jasmine Parker, CWU, 2.35.  Steals – 24. Sasha King, UAA, 3.08.  Field Goal PCT. – 1. Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe, SFU, 66.5; 8. Britt Harris, WWU, 57.8.  Free Throw PCT. – 1.  Mariah Durian, WOU, 94.6; 3. Chelsie Luke, NNU, 91.7; 5. Suzanna Ohlsen, SPU, 90.4; 14. Aubree Callen, SPU, 88.6; 15. Erin Chambers, SFY, 88.5; 29. Ally Schmitt, CWU, 86.8.  Three-Point PCT. – 12. Corinn Waltrip, WWU, 42.9; 25. Erin Chambers, SFU, 40.8. Three-Pointers – 18. Jessica VanDyke, CWU, 2.76. Assist/Turnover Ratio – 3. Bobbi Knudsen, MSUB, 2.55; 27. Sasha King, UAA, 1.84.  Double-Doubles – 6. Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe, SFU, 11; 13. Megan Hingston, NNU, 9.