Riding a three-game winning streak heading into the final two weeks of the regular season, the Raven men’s basketball team continued to climb back up the NAIA Div. I Top 25 Coaches’ Poll on Tuesday afternoon when the Association released the eighth regular-season poll.
Benedictine (18-6) moved up to No. 11, taking over the HAAC’s top position in the poll after they were ranked No. 16 last week.
The Ravens received 175 points in the latest poll to move past HAAC No. 2 Culver-Stockton College, who received 150 points to drop from No. 10 last week to No. 12 this week.
Benedictine holds a one-game lead over the Wildcats and a two-game lead over Central Methodist University with four games remaining in HAAC play.
Central Methodist received 78 points to move into the Top 25 for the first time this season at No. 22. The Eagles were listed in the other’s receiving votes category last week.
Evangel University, who the Ravens also hold a two-game lead over the in the HAAC standings, fell from No. 17 in last weeks poll to the second team listed in the other’s receiving votes category. MNU, who knocked off Evangel last week before falling to Benedictine on Saturday, held on to the final spot in the other’s receiving votes category.
Three games separate the top five teams in the HAAC heading into the final four games of the regular season with Culver-Stockton, Central Methodist, Evangel and MNU chasing the Ravens.
As a team, Benedictine ranks second in NAIA Div. I in 3-point percentage (41.9), ninth in total rebound defense (31.1), 10th in field goal defense (40.5) and 11th in scoring defense per game (67.6).
Individually, forward Jallen Messersmith continues to hold ground among the top shot blockers at the NAIA Div. I level. He ranks fourth in blocks per game (2.4) and fifth in total blocks (51).
Guard Shawn Fleming Jr. continues to rank among the nations best 3-point shooters, ranking fourth in 3-point percentage (48.7).
Benedictine hosts Graceland University at 7:30 p.m. Thursday before hitting the road for back-to-back games. They travel to Marshall, Mo, on Sunday to take on Missouri Valley College at 4 p.m. and then remain on the road Feb. 27 to take on Culver-Stockton at 7:30 p.m.
The Ravens wrap up the 2013-14 regular season at home on Saturday, March 1 with a 4 p.m. game agianst Evangel in the Ralph Nolan Gymnasium. March 1 is Senior Day with the Ravens three seniors – Charlie Wallrapp, Steven O’Brien and Herb Khangura – being recognized for their contributions to the men’s basketball program between games with the women’s basketball seniors.
Thursday’s night match up with Graceland, who the Ravens beat 70-55 in Lamoni, Iowa, back on Jan. 16, will be live on BRSNtv. The live video link as well as the links for livestats and the KAIR 93.7 FM radio stream can be found on the scoreboard located at the top of the page at www.ravenathletics.com.
— BC Sports Information —