For the first time since the 2007-08 basketball season Northwest Missouri State finds itself ranked in the NABC Top 25 as released by the organization on Tuesday.

The Bearcats stand at 12-1 overall and enter a pivotal week of MIAA play holding a slim lead atop the standings at 6-1. Northwest travels to Central Missouri on Wednesday evening for a 7:30 p.m. tip before returning home to host Southwest Baptist on Saturday afternoon.

Northwest checks in at No. 24 just one week after receiving votes in the NABC Top 25. Along with the Bearcats, five new teams made their first appearance of the season joining Christian Brothers (Tenn.) at No. 15, Hillsdale at No. 18, Montevallo (Ala.) at No. 20 followed by St. Cloud State (Minn.) at No. 21 and District of Colombia at No. 22.

Lincoln Memorial is the new No. 1-ranked squad in the latest NABC/Division II men’s basketball poll followed by Kentucky Wesleyan at No. 2 and Bellarmine at No. 3. At No. 4 is West Liberty (W. Va.) as Metro State (Colo.) rounds out the top five.

A pair of South Central Region foes sit in the top 11 as Tarleton State moves up to No. 6 and two-time defending Region Champion Midwestern State checks in at No. 11 with a perfect 12-0 record.

Other MIAA teams in the top 25 include Fort Hays State who fell from No. 8 to No. 19 and Missouri Southern who also dropped in the rankings from No. 14 to No. 23.

Both of the Bearcats’ opponents this week have already defeated the one of the MIAA teams ranked ahead of the Bearcats. The Mules knocked off FHSU last week in a blowout while SBU also knocked off the Tigers in Hays, Kan.

Action on Saturday against Southwest Baptist begins at 3:30 p.m. from Bearcat Arena.

— NWMSU Sports Information —